How Menopause Medication Might Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Recent research from Northwestern University has uncovered an exciting discovery: Duavee, a medication commonly used to alleviate menopause symptoms, may also play a role in preventing breast cancer. The study, which focused on post-menopausal women, has shown promising results, indicating that this drug may reduce the growth of breast tissue cells—a critical indicator of cancer progression.
A drug intended to treat menopause symptoms could double as breast cancer prevention, new research suggests. (iStock)

What Is Duavee and How Does It Work?

Duavee is a medication combining conjugated estrogen and bazedoxifene (CE/BZA). Originally developed to manage menopause symptoms like hot flashes, the drug has recently gained attention for its potential cancer-preventing properties. The CE/BZA formula combines estrogen with a medication that mitigates the hormone's potential harmful side effects, making it a safer alternative for women going through menopause.
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), also known as stage 0 breast cancer, affects more than 60,000 U.S. women each year. (iStock)

The Study: How Duavee Could Prevent Breast Cancer

In a phase 2 clinical trial involving 141 post-menopausal women diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)—also known as stage 0 breast cancer—researchers administered Duavee to one group, while the other group received a placebo. DCIS, a non-invasive type of breast cancer, affects over 60,000 American women annually and can often lead to invasive breast cancer if left untreated.

The results showed that Duavee significantly reduced the proliferation of cells in the milk ducts of women with DCIS, particularly those with estrogen receptor-positive types. As a result, it could provide a new tool in preventing the development of invasive breast cancer.
Post-menopausal patients who took the CE/BZA reported fewer hot flashes during the study. (iStock)

Benefits for Menopausal Women

In addition to its potential to prevent cancer, Duavee also offers relief from menopausal symptoms. According to Dr. Swati Kulkarni, lead investigator of the study, the women who took Duavee reported fewer hot flashes and did not experience a significant difference in quality of life compared to those on a placebo.

This dual benefit is particularly important for women who face an increased risk of breast cancer and are unable to use traditional hormone therapies. Duavee could become an essential treatment for women who have high-risk lesions or other risk factors for breast cancer.

The Need for Further Research

While the findings are encouraging, researchers are quick to point out that more studies are needed before Duavee can be confirmed as a breast cancer prevention method. The study is preliminary, and as Dr. Sheheryar Kabraji, chief of breast medicine at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, pointed out, more comprehensive trials are required to definitively determine if CE/BZA can reduce the risk of invasive cancer or the recurrence of DCIS.

Dr. Kabraji also cautioned that while the study showed a reduction in a specific protein linked to cancer, it did not directly prove that the medication prevents cancer recurrence. However, he noted that Duavee's effectiveness at improving symptoms like hot flashes could offer a safer alternative to current breast cancer medications.

Key Takeaways:

- Duavee (CE/BZA) has shown potential in reducing the growth of breast tissue cells, a sign of cancer progression.

- It could be a dual-purpose medication, helping both manage menopause symptoms and lower the risk of developing invasive breast cancer.

- The study’s results are preliminary, and further research with longer follow-ups is needed to determine the long-term effectiveness of Duavee in cancer prevention.

- Duavee is not intended for the treatment of invasive breast cancer or DCIS, but it could be an important option for women concerned about their breast cancer risk.

Conclusion

The promising results from this study could lead to new treatment options for women at risk of breast cancer, especially those in menopause. By using Duavee, they might manage menopausal symptoms while simultaneously reducing their cancer risk. However, further research is required before this treatment can be considered a standard prevention method for breast cancer.

Sources:

1. Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine (Study on Duavee's effectiveness for breast cancer prevention).

2. Fox News Digital (Summary of the clinical trial and expert insights).

3. Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center (Expert commentary from Dr. Sheheryar Kabraji).