Written by Benjamin Lee - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Consultant - February 17, 2023
For women, menopause marks the end of their reproductive years. This can be a pivotal and significant moment in a woman's life as her body undergoes numerous changes including the slowing or stopping of regular menstrual cycles. And, considering that breast cancer is more common in women than in men, this question arises: Does breast cancer grow slower after menopause?
The answer to this depends on many different factors, such as age and cancer type. However, regardless of these factors, it is likely that post-menopausal women are at a lower risk of developing aggressive forms of breast cancer due to the absence of regular estrogen production which can cause tumors to grow faster.
It is important to note that breast cancer itself does not slow down or stop growing during or after menopause but rather the rate at which it grows may be impacted. As many cases have demonstrated, although they are less frequent, pre-menopausal women are still able to develop aggressive types of breast cancer. Therefore it would be incorrect to assume that all cancers slow down or stop growing following the onset of menopause.
What actually happens is that certain hormone levels decrease while other increase following menopause; particularly the amount of sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone) within the body dramatically decreases and testosterone increases. Additionally, there is evidence showing that higher concentrations of estrogens act as ‘drivers’ for increased tumor growth due to their ability to stimulate cell division; therefore with lower concentrations come a decrease in growth rates within tumor cells – both beneficial for survivors who want more time before reoccurrence or metastasis.
It has also been suggested by some studies that tumors will even shrink in size over time post-menopausal due to the presence of the anti-hormone therapy tamoxifen – making it potentially easier for doctors to successfully treat and eliminate them without encouraging further growth during treatment.
However, beyond these physical changes there are issues related lifestyle choices which can impact an individual’s risk factor significantly when it comes to any type or stage of breast cancer following menopause; namely - diet and exercise regimes coupled with adequate amounts rest/sleep (which helps maintain optimum hormone balance). It is well known that being physically active helps reduce risks associated with most types if not all cancers; whilst eating a healthy balanced meal plan helps guard against any form of illness from taking hold. Being aware of one’s own body composition post-menopause and making necessary adjustments based on personal needs becomes key here too.
Additionally looking into professional care and treatments like hormone replacement therapy may help individuals replace their lost hormones thus reducing risks associated with imbalanced hormone levels leading up to later stages in life. As an example BHRT Pro Center provides specialist care through consultation backed by leading research teams offering safe treatment plans using only FDA approved treatments designed just for you - giving you all information you need about potential risks associated with treatment options as well as remedies when required without engaging unnecessary long term therapies helping people live healthier lives significantly reducing recurrence chances over time while providing holistic health benefits helping people stay young & healthy way beyond productive years!
To conclude one should remember that age plays an important role when it comes detecting recurrences; where younger generations tend respond differently than older ones depending on various factors like lifestyle choices etc.; However its always best practice consult your physician before proceeding with any form hormonal replacements especially later ages as this might affect side effects positively as well negatively so get full checkup done before beginning any regime no matter what age group & gather all information medically regarding progress history & condition along with prescribed medications & treatments currently used before moving ahead & keep your doctor updated about any addition treatments you take throughout life!
Overall prevention remains best defence against Breast Cancers post Menopause alongside maintaining healthy lifestyles bolstered by timely actions taken right away upon detection allowing us detect possible recurrences early enough safe guard ourselves better!