The breast and sex hormones


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Abstract

The breast is part of a woman’s reproductive system, a target organ for sex hormones, and a site of their local biosynthesis and metabolism. The risk of breast cancer (BC) in the presence of fibrocystic disease largely depends on the severity of breast tissue proliferative processes. Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) have some effect on the breast, which is usually levelled off by other positive effects of this type of therapy. The possible increase in BC risk, which is associated with menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), is small and similar to or lower than that related to decreased physical activity, obesity, and alcohol use. Micronized progesterone or dydrogesterone, as well as tibolone, bazedoxifene, and estrol, which are used in the therapy of menopausal disorders, may be associated with a lower BC risk. A family history of BC is not a contraindication to MHT. BRCA1/2 mutation carriers may benefit from MHT after risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy. BC is a contraindication to combined hormonal contraceptives, MHT, tibolone, and local hormone therapy. Conclusion: Thus, thorough breast examination before and during therapy, selection of patients from the low-risk BC group, and choice of drugs without proven significant effect on BC risks are the key when prescribing COCs or MHT

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About the authors

Antonina A. Smetnik

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: a_smetnik@oparina4.ru
MD, Ph.D., Head of the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology

Valery V. Rodionov

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: v_rodionov@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Head of the Department of Breast Pathology

Vlada V. Kometova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: v_kometova@oparina4.ru
MD, PhD., Head of the Department of Oncopathology

Olga V. Burmenskaya

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: o_bourmenskaya@oparina4.ru
Dr. Bio. Sci., Head of the Laboratory of Oncological Genetics

Maria V. Dardyk

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

MD, Researcher at the Department of Oncopathology

Alexander N. Sencha

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: a_sencha@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Head of the Department of Visual Diagnostics

Elena I. Ermakova

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: e_ermakova@oparina4.ru
MD, Ph.D., Senior Researcher at the Department of Gynecological Endocrinology

Levon A. Ashrafyan

Academician V.I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation

Email: l_ashrafyan@oparina4.ru
Dr. Med. Sci., Professor, Academician of the RAS, Head of the Institution of Oncogynecology and Mammology

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