Hot Flashes and Breast Cancer Risk: What the Research Shows – Healthline

Hot flashes are common, long-term symptoms associated with menopause.

While hot flashes can be uncomfortable and disruptive for many people, they may also come with an unexpected link: a reduced risk of breast cancer.

In this article, we discuss what the latest research says about the possible link between hot flashes and a lower risk of breast cancer. We also take a look at options for treating hot flashes.

Hot flashes develop when estrogen and progesterone levels begin to change before and during menopause. Its thought that these hormonal fluctuations may disrupt the thermoregulatory center in your brain, leading to changes in heat production.

While hot flashes increase in frequency during the 2 years after you start menopause, they can last for 7 to 11 years or longer.

One 2016 review revealed an increase in breast cancer risk in those who had higher estrogen levels. Additionally, researchers found up to a 50 percent reduction in breast cancer risk in people who experienced menopausal vasomotor symptoms (VMS) like hot flashes and night sweats.

Also, a 2018 study of postmenopausal women with persistent VMS found a higher risk of breast cancer diagnosis but a reduced risk of related death. This may suggest a longer presence of hormones influencing the subsequent development of breast cancer.

While more clinical research is needed to determine whether hot flashes could provide a concrete indicator of a reduced breast cancer risk, such menopausal symptoms do indicate a decrease in lifetime exposure to the hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that may be associated with this cancer.

Its also important to note that researchers have found VMS in individuals post-breast cancer diagnosis. In such cases, the onset of VMS may also be attributed to tamoxifen, a type of estrogen modulator used in breast cancer treatment.

While hot flashes may be associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, there are still treatment options if you want to reduce their occurrence.

If youre interested in treatment for hot flashes, your doctor will likely recommend nonhormonal methods first. These may include:

In some cases, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be recommended if your hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause significantly impact your overall quality of life.

However, HRT isnt appropriate for everyone. It may increase your risk of developing breast cancer as well as the following:

If your doctor does recommend HRT, theyll likely start with the lowest, most effective dose. Its important to discuss all of the potential risks versus the benefits with your doctor.

In addition to medical treatments, you can ask your doctor about certain complementary therapies for hot flashes. These include:

While some herbal remedies and phytoestrogens are marketed to people experiencing hot flashes, its important to discuss these with your doctor before using them.

Herbs and supplements may potentially interact with medications you take, and theres a lack of clinical evidence supporting their efficacy. Additionally, some herbal remedies may cause liver damage.

To help manage hot flashes, you can also:

While the development of breast cancer depends on a variety of factors, the risk of receiving a breast cancer diagnosis may be higher if you:

Some lifestyle factors that may also increase your risk of developing breast cancer include the following:

Other possible, but not yet proven, risk factors for breast cancer may include:

Hot flashes occur before, during, and after menopause as estrogen and progesterone hormones start declining.

While the exact relationship still requires further clinical research, some studies have revealed a link between hot flashes and a reduced risk of developing breast cancer.

Hot flashes alone dont decrease the risk of breast cancer developing, but they may indicate a lowered lifetime exposure to hormones that do contribute to cancer risk.

In the meantime, if youre currently experiencing hot flashes, you may consider talking with a doctor about treatment options that could help you find relief without contributing to your overall breast cancer risk.

Its also important to understand your own personal breast cancer risks to help reduce the chances of its development.

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Hot Flashes and Breast Cancer Risk: What the Research Shows - Healthline