Pathobiology

Review

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Trends in Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Incidence – Results from the German Network of Cancer Registries

Katalinic A.a, b · Lemmer A.a · Zawinell A.c · Rawal R.a · Waldmann A.a

Author affiliations

aInstitute for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Lübeck, and bAssociation of Population-Based Cancer Registries in Germany, Lübeck, and cAOK Research Institute, Bonn, Germany

Corresponding Author

Alexander Katalinic, MD, PhD, Institute for Cancer Epidemiology

University of Lübeck and Assoc. of Population-Based Cancer Registries in Germany

Beckergrube 43–47, DE–23552 Lübeck (Germany)

Tel. +49 451 799 25 50, Fax +49 451 799 25 51

E-Mail alexander.katalinic@krebsregister-sh.de

Keywords: Breast cancer incidenceGerman Network of Cancer RegistriesHormone therapyMenopauseRisk factors for breast cancer

Related Articles for ""
Pathobiology 2009;76:90–97
https://doi.org/10.1159/000201677

Abstract

Objective: Menopausal hormone therapy (HT) is a proven risk factor for breast cancer. Recent reports presented declining trends in breast cancer incidence, which were attributed to parallel declining trends in HT. Therefore, we analyzed recent data on hormone therapy and breast cancer incidence in Germany. Methods: We performed a population-based survey using breast cancer incidence (from cancer registries) and hormone prescription data (from health insurances) for the time period from 1997 to 2006. Age-standardized rates were calculated and joinpoint regression analyses for trends were performed. Results: Prescription of HT started to decline in 1999; about 2 years later, a parallel decline in breast cancer incidence was observed. HT prescription decreased by 69% up to 2006, and breast cancer incidence by 6.8% for all age groups (2002–2005) and 12.8% in the age group from 50 to 69 years. The reductions in HT prescription and breast cancer incidence were markedly correlated across the federal states in Germany. Conclusion: The recent decline in breast cancer incidence following decreasing HT prescription suggests a causal relationship between the risk of breast cancer and HT in Germany. Even after the ‘big HT drop’ in Germany, significant differences in HT prescription as well as breast cancer incidence persist at the federal state level. These results should be discussed in a public health context.

© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel



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Article / Publication Details

First-Page Preview
Abstract of Review

Published online: April 09, 2009
Issue release date: April 2009

Number of Print Pages: 8
Number of Figures: 3
Number of Tables: 2

ISSN: 1015-2008 (Print)
eISSN: 1423-0291 (Online)

For additional information: https://www.karger.com/PAT

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2009, Vol.76, No. 2

April 2009

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