ORIGINAL RESEARCH—EPIDEMIOLOGY: The Incidence of Invasive Breast Cancer Among Women Prescribed Testosterone for Low Libido

  1. Susan R. Davis MD, PhD1,*,
  2. Rory Wolfe PhD2,
  3. Helen Farrugia B Appl Sci3,
  4. Angeline Ferdinand BA, MPH1,
  5. Robin J. Bell MD, PhD, MPH1

Article first published online: 24 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01289.x

Issue

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

The Journal of Sexual Medicine

Volume 6, Issue 7, pages 1850–1856, July 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Davis, S. R., Wolfe, R., Farrugia, H., Ferdinand, A. and Bell, R. J. (2009), ORIGINAL RESEARCH—EPIDEMIOLOGY: The Incidence of Invasive Breast Cancer Among Women Prescribed Testosterone for Low Libido. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 6: 1850–1856. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2009.01289.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Central Clinical School, Monash University, Alfred Hospital—Women's Health Program, Department of Medicine, Prahran, Victoria, Australia;

  2. 2

    Monash University, Alfred Hospital—Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;

  3. 3

    Victorian Cancer Registry, Carlton, Victoria, Australia

*Susan R. Davis, MD, PhD, Women's Health Program, Department of Medicine, Central & Eastern Clinical School, Monash Medical School, Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road, Prahran VIC 3181, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9903 0827; Fax: +61 3 9903 0828; E-mail: Susan.Davis@med.monash.edu.au

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 24 JUN 2009
  2. Article first published online: 24 APR 2009

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Keywords:

  • Testosterone;
  • Breast Cancer;
  • Sexual Function;
  • Androgens;
  • Complications

ABSTRACT

Introduction.  Although the efficacy of testosterone for the treatment of hypoactive sexual desire disorder is well established, the effect of testosterone therapy on breast cancer risk remains uncertain.

Aim.  The incidence of invasive breast cancer among past and current testosterone users.

Methods.  Retrospective cohort study of 631 women ever treated with testosterone between January 1989 and December 2007 in a clinical endocrinology practice.

Main Outcome Measure.  The incidence of invasive breast cancer since first exposure, and the standardized incidence rate ratio (IRR) calculated using Australian age-specific incidence rates for 2005.

Results.  The mean age of the women at first exposure to testosterone therapy was 49.1 ± 8.2 years, median treatment duration, 1.3 years, and mean follow-up of 6.7 ± 4.6 years, providing 4,015 woman-years of follow-up. Twelve cases of invasive breast cancer occurred among 599 women breast cancer-free before treatment, giving an age adjusted IRR of 1.35 (95% confidence interval 0.76–2.38). There was no evidence of an independent effect of duration of exposure on breast cancer risk.

Conclusion.  In this study, testosterone use was not associated with a significant increase in breast cancer risk. Davis SR, Wolfe R, Farrugia H, Ferdinand A, and Bell RJ. The incidence of invasive breast cancer among women prescribed testosterone for low libido. J Sex Med 2009;6:1850–1856.

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