A recent study indicates that hormone therapy used in treating breast cancer could potentially lower the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in women later in life. Published on July 16 in JAMA Network Open, the findings reveal an overall 7% reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s or related dementia among women who undergo hormone therapy.
The research, conducted by a team including senior researcher Francesmary Modugno from the University of Pittsburgh, highlights the individualized nature of treatment decisions in breast cancer care. “Our findings emphasize the importance of being cognizant of individual patient factors when we prescribe medications or develop treatment plans for breast cancer,” Modugno stated, noting the need for personalized approaches to optimize outcomes and minimize risks.
The study drew on data from over 18,800 women aged 65 and older diagnosed with breast cancer between 2007 and 2009. Two-thirds of these women received hormone therapy within three years of their diagnosis. Over a 12-year follow-up period, 24% of hormone therapy recipients developed dementia, compared to 28% of those who did not use hormone therapy during cancer treatment.
Results showed that the protective effect of hormone therapy was most pronounced in women aged 65 to 69, whereas in women over 80, hormone therapy appeared to increase dementia risk. Furthermore, the study highlighted racial differences: Black women aged 65 to 74 experienced a 24% reduced risk of dementia with hormone therapy, while this effect lessened to 19% after age 75. In contrast, white women aged 65 to 74 saw an 11% risk reduction that disappeared after age 75.
Lead researcher Chao Cai from the University of South Carolina College of Pharmacy underscored the age-related nuances in hormone therapy’s impact on dementia risk. “Our study suggests that younger women may benefit more from hormone therapy in terms of reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia,” Cai noted, emphasizing the importance of tailored treatment plans based on patient age.
Cai speculated that hormone therapy’s influence on dementia risk could stem from its impact on estrogen levels or brain receptors responsive to estrogen. Additionally, the therapy might affect proteins linked to Alzheimer’s risk or the health of cerebral blood vessels.
“The relationship between hormone therapy for breast cancer and dementia risk is complex and influenced by multiple factors,” Cai concluded, stressing the necessity for ongoing research to elucidate these mechanisms and provide clearer guidelines for hormone therapy use.
