12: Does Estrogen Cause Breast Cancer? No - Well, Maybe

How are we at a point where women are terrified of a hormone they've had in their bodies most of their lives?

Many of us have heard horrible things about estrogen and its connection to breast cancer. A lot of this public aversion stems from a study that came out in the early 2000s called the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

The WHI was a landmark study designed to define the risks and benefits of interventions, notably hormonal therapy. Unfortunately, when journals and the media reported on the findings, they didn't put them into the appropriate clinical context and did not mention the study's limitations. Ultimately, this led to women ditching their hormones en masse, suffering in silence without an alternative.

Today I'm sharing what you need to know about the WHI, what the data shows about the connection between hormone therapy and the risk of disease, why we need to shift our perspective on hormone therapy, and alternatives for women who can't benefit from estrogen therapy.

The bottom line is hormone replacement therapy is a personal choice. We have to look at the risks versus benefits, not expecting it to be a panacea for everything that ails you, but as something that could significantly improve your quality of life when done with caution.

Let's try not to be afraid of estrogen - it's not a bad thing.

Highlights

Telling women across the board not to go on hormones is a misogynistic statement

What you need to know about the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) study

The problem with how the media reported the results of the WHI study

Positive outcomes of hormone therapy identified in the study

Limitations of the WHI

Considerations for women with a history of breast cancer

What the studies showed about the benefits for osteoporosis prevention

The relationship between estrogen therapy and increased risk of dementia and stroke

Detoxifying estrogen in your body

My confession for estrogen replacement

Alternatives to estradiol for menopause symptoms

Mentioned in this episode

The Women's Health Initiative https://www.whi.org/

Women's Estrogen–Progestin Lipid-Lowering Hormone Atherosclerosis Regression Trial - WELL-HART https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/clinical-trials/2010/02/23/19/26/wellhart

HABITS (hormonal replacement therapy after breast cancer--is it safe?), a randomized comparison: trial stopped https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14962527/

Nordic Naturals ProOmega® https://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/515/?ProdID=30

Udo's Choice Flaxseed Oil

Femenessence Maca Products https://femmenessence.com/

Magnesium Glycinate

Resources

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Practice https://www.drshawntassone.com/

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Book | The Hormone Balance Bible https://tassonemd.com/hormone-balance-bible/

Dr. Shawn Tassone's Integrative Hormonal Mapping System | Hormone Archetype Quiz https://tassonemd.lpages.co/hormonearchetypequiz/

Disclaimer

This podcast and website represent the opinions of Dr. Shawn Tassone and his guests. The content here should not be taken as medical advice and is for informational purposes only. Because each person is so unique, please consult your health care professional for any medical questions.