Sage-Tips

Is early or late menopause a risk factor for breast cancer?

During women’s reproductive years (broadly the time between menarche and menopause) the ovary produces steroid hormones that directly affect development and function of the breast. Early menarche and late menopause are known to increase women’s risk of developing breast cancer.

Is early menopause associated with breast cancer?

Starting menopause after age 55 increases a woman’s risk of breast cancer and endometrial cancer. That’s probably because she’s been exposed to more estrogen. During a woman’s menstrual cycle, estrogen stimulates the uterus and breast tissue.

Can late onset of menstruation cause breast cancer?

Early onset of periods also increased a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer. Women who had started their periods at 15 were at only two thirds the risk of premenopausal breast cancer compared with women whose periods had started at 11. The risk decreased by 7\% for every year that periods were delayed.

Why is early menstruation a risk factor for breast cancer?

A higher lifetime exposure to estrogen is linked to an increase in breast cancer risk [19]. The earlier a woman starts having periods, the longer her breast tissue is exposed to estrogens released during the menstrual cycle. This means a greater lifetime exposure to estrogen.

What is considered late menopause?

If a woman is 55 or older and still hasn’t begun menopause, doctors would consider it late-onset menopause. According to the Center for Menstrual Disorders and Reproductive Choice, the average age for menopause is 51.

Does late menarche mean late menopause?

It remains uncertain whether age at menarche is associated with age at menopause. Some studies report that women with early menarche also have early menopause. Other studies report that women with early menarche have late menopause, or they report no association.

How common is premenopausal breast cancer?

While breast cancer in older women is clearly much more common, around 7\% of the women diagnosed with breast cancer are under 40, when most women are still premenopausal. In fact, according to the Office for National Statistics, 42.4\% of all cancers occurring in women aged 15-49 is breast cancer.

How does age at menarche affect breast cancer risk?

Earlier age at menarche has been consistently associated with increased risk of both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer. Early menarche may be associated with more rapid onset of regular ovulatory menstrual cycles and hence greater lifetime exposure to endogenous hormones.

Is it better to go through menopause early or late?

Age at menopause and your health While overall later menopause is probably healthier, it is associated with an elevated risk of developing breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancers. The average age for menopause is 51, and the women in this study were close to that number, with an average age at menopause of 50.5.

Can you be in menopause and still have regular periods?

Premenopause is when you have no symptoms of perimenopause or menopause. You still have periods — whether they’re regular or irregular — and are considered to be in your reproductive years. Some hormonal changes may be occurring, but there are no noticeable changes in your body.

Is it better to have menopause early or late?

Does the age you start your period determine menopause?

Not a Factor Here are three things you might think would influence menopause age, but don’t: Age at first period. Although the average age of menarche (onset of first menstrual period) has been getting younger in U.S. women, there hasn’t been a corresponding shift in the average age at menopause.

What are the dangers of early menopause?

The risks of early menopause rise after age 35. Family history. Being related to women who have a history of early or premature menopause may raise your risk. Genetic disorders. Having abnormal chromosomes or genes, as occurs in Turner syndrome or Fragile X syndrome. Toxins.

How does menopause affect cancer risk?

Menopause does not cause cancer. But your risk of developing cancer increases as you age. So women going through menopause have a greater chance of developing cancer because they’re older.

What is premenopausal breast cancer?

Study Suggests Premenopausal Women With Certain Type of Breast Cancer Don’t Benefit From Chemotherapy. Luminal A breast cancer is cancer that is estrogen-receptor positive and/or progesterone-receptor positive, HER2-negative, and has low levels of the protein Ki-67, which helps control how fast cancer cells grow.