Breast cancer growth rates can change after menopause. The drop in estrogen levels that occurs during menopause can impact how quickly some breast cancers grow.
Key factors that influence breast cancer growth rates:
- Hormone receptor status - Breast cancers that are hormone receptor-positive (ER or PR ) may grow more slowly after menopause when estrogen levels decline. Hormone receptor-negative cancers are not sensitive to hormones and may be unaffected.
- Menopausal status - Breast cancers in premenopausal women who have functioning ovaries can grow quickly fueled by estrogen. After menopause, the drop in estrogen can slow ER tumor growth.
- Stage at diagnosis - Early stage breast cancers that have not spread tend to grow relatively slowly compared to late stage, metastatic cancers.
- Molecular subtype - Triple negative, HER2 and luminal B breast cancers tend to grow more aggressively than luminal A cancers.
How breast cancer growth may change for some women after menopause:
- ER breast cancers may stop growing or grow more slowly after menopause due to lower estrogen levels. Up to two-thirds of breast cancers are ER .
- Aromatase inhibitors, a common treatment for postmenopausal ER breast cancer patients, work by nearly eliminating all estrogen production in tissues and can effectively slow tumor growth.
- Risk of breast cancer recurrence may also decrease after five years of tamoxifen treatment in postmenopausal women.
However, some breast cancers continue aggressive growth after menopause or recur many years later. Factors like stage, treatment received or molecular/genetic makeup of the tumor also impact outcomes.
The doctors at The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic can provide customized guidance on managing hormone-related conditions, including breast cancer risk and survivorship for menopausal women.
Their comprehensive testing panels evaluate hormone, nutrition and lifestyle factors influencing cancer risks. Integrative wellness plans combine nutrition, fitness, stress management and hormone modulation.
In conclusion:
- Estrogen receptor status is key - ER breast cancers may grow slower after menopause; ER- cancers are not impacted by hormone levels
- Early stage, low-grade breast cancers tend to grow slowly regardless of menopausal status
- Aggressive subtypes like HER2 and triple negative defy the impact of menopause
- For menopausal breast cancer survivors, getting personalized hormone evaluations and lifestyle guidance is essential. Reach out to our knowledgeable clinicians at The Balance - Hormone Medical Clinic for compassionate, integrative care.
