Menopause is often a challenging transition for women, typically beginning in the mid-40s to early 50s. Menopause is diagnosed after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. According to Liv Hospital General Surgery Prof. Dr. Levhi Akin, while menopause itself does not directly increase cancer risk, the likelihood of many cancers”including breast cancer”rises with age. Women who enter menopause after age 55 face a higher risk of ovarian, breast, and uterine cancers.
Recent studies have shown that women using combined hormone therapy for menopausal symptoms have an increased risk of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and embolism. In addition, women whose menstrual cycles started before age 12 are also at greater risk.
Sensitive period for women
Around 70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their lives. This discomfort may present as tenderness, swelling, a feeling of heaviness, or pain in the breasts. Hormonal changes”such as those during the menstrual cycle, puberty, or early pregnancy”are common causes.
As women approach menopause, these patterns may shift. During menopause, breast tissue loses both fat and density, which can lead to shrinking and the development of palpable lumps. Most lumps are benign, meaning they are not cancerous.
There are two main types of breast pain during menopause:
Cyclical (periodic) breast pain: Linked to the menstrual cycle, usually starting a week before a period.
Non-cyclical (non-periodic) breast pain: Not related to the menstrual cycle and can occur before, during, or after menopause.
Certain medications for menopausal symptoms, especially those containing synthetic hormones, can cause breast pain and tenderness. Other drugs”including some antidepressants, cholesterol medications combined with hormones, heart medications, and psychiatric drugs”can also contribute to increased breast pain.
The risk with hormone use during menopause
Some medications used to treat menopausal symptoms can affect cancer risk. The longer a woman takes estrogen and progesterone hormone therapy, the higher her risk of developing breast cancer. Research also shows that women on combined hormone therapy face increased risks of breast cancer, heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots (embolism). Because of these risks, hormone therapies are generally not recommended for women with a history of breast cancer or those at high risk, or are prescribed at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible duration.
* Liv Hospital Editorial Board has contributed to the publication of this content .
* Contents of this page is for informational purposes only. Please consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment. The content of this page does not include information on medicinal health care at Liv Hospital .