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Re: More consistent results are found between alcohol and estrogens.
- James M. Howard (6 June 2007)
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More consistent results are found between alcohol and estrogens.
- Lina S. Mørch, Anne Tjønneland, Clauida Stahlberg, Ellen Løkkegaard, Lau C. Thygesen, Morten Grønbæk. (28 May 2007)
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This may be due to increased testosterone...
- Jams M. Howard (26 April 2007)
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James M. Howard, Biologist, independent 1037 Woolsey Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, U.S.A.
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According to some research, alcohol consumption in young women does increase testosterone by increasing the androstenedione to testosterone conversion in the liver (Alcohol and Alcoholism 2000 Jan; 35: 84-90). Also, "androstenedione and testosterone might be more strongly associated with [breast cancer] risk than estradiol" (J. Natl Cancer Inst. 2002; 94: 606-16). Also, it is my hypothesis that the "secular trend," the increase in size and earlier puberty of children, may be caused by an increase in the percentage of females of higher testosterone within the population with time. This increase in women of higher testosterone may explain the ongoing increase in breast cancer, especially in black women who produce more testosterone. Early alcohol consumption may increase testosterone early in life and increase premenopausal breast cancer, especially in women of higher testosterone. According to my explanation of the basic mechanism of cancer formation, that is, low DHEA, estradiol and testosterone work in a similar manner. Estradiol and testosterone reduce DHEA. This may explain why alcohol consumption and hormone replacement therapy, when DHEA naturally declines in old age, both increase breast cancer incidence. An increase in testosterone adds significantly to the effects of estradiol and increases breast cancer incidence in proportion to the increase in women of higher testosterone. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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Lina S. Mørch, MSc, PhD student Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health. DK-1399 Copenhagen, Denmark, Anne Tjønneland, Clauida Stahlberg, Ellen Løkkegaard, Lau C. Thygesen, Morten Grønbæk.
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Dear Editor, Dr James Michael Howard suggested that our findings of alcohol associated risk of breast cancer may be explained by increased levels of testosterone (European Journal of Public Health, 26 of April). We appreciate the relevant suggestion of the possible biological mechanism explaining the association between alcohol intake and the risk of breast cancer. The biological mechanisms of alcohol as a causal factor in the development of breast cancer have been widely discussed. It is possible that androgens have an independent effect on breast cancer risk, however, previous cross-sectional studies on the association between alcohol intake and testosterone concentrations among postmenopausal women have shown inconsistent results [1, 2, 3, 4]. More consistent results have been found for the association between alcohol intake and estrogen concentrations. Almost all published literature shows that higher concentrations of estrone and estrone sulfate are associated with increased risk of breast cancer [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]. Also positive associations with estradiol concentrations have been found [4]. Among pre-menopausal women the menstrual cycle with cyclic changes in serum estradiol might complicate the assessments. However, a positive association between alcohol intake and estrone concentrations have been observed even in this group of women [1]. It is likely, that the effect of alcohol is due to several pathways or biological mechanisms, and that the influence on both sex hormone concentrations and accumulation of carcinogen bi-products of alcohol are essential factors when considering the increased risk of breast cancer. With kind regards Lina S. Mørch, MSc, PhD student. Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health. Anne Tjønneland, MD, PhD. The Danish Cancer Society. Clauida Stahlberg, MD, PhD. The Danish Nurse Cohort Study. Ellen Løkkegaard, MD, PhD. Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health. Lau C Thygesen, MSc, PhD student. Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health. Morten Grønbæk, DrMedSci, Professor. Centre for Alcohol Research, National Institute of Public Health. 1.Rinaldi S, Peeters PH, Bezemer ID, et al. Relationship of alcohol intake and sex steroid concentrations in blood in pre- and post-menopausal women: the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Cancer Causes Control 2006;17:1033-43. 2.Wu F, Ames R, Evans MC, et al. Determinants of sex hormone-binding globulin in normal postmenopausal women. Clin Endocrinol 2001; 54:81-7. 3.Cauley JA, Gutai JP, Kuller LH, et al. The epidemiology of serum sex hormones in postmenopausal women. Am J Epidemiol 1989; 129:1120-31. 4.Onland-Moret NC, Peeters PH, van der Schouw YT, et al. Alcohol and endogenous sex steroid levels in postmenopausal women: a cross-sectional study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2005; 90:1414-9. 5.Hakinson SE, Willett WC, Mason JE, et al. Alcohol, height, and adiposity in relation to estrogen and prolactin levels in postmenopausal women. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995; 87: 1297-1302. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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Jams M. Howard, Biologist, independent 1037 North Woolsey Avenue, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, U.S.A.
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It is my hypothesis that increased testosterone causes female breast cancer (International Journal of Cancer 2005; 115: 497). Alcohol consumption by women increases testosterone levels. I suggest the findings of Morch, et al., may be explained by increased testosterone. Conflict of Interest:None declared |
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