As in their 2008 study, Li et. al. place more emphasis on the role of estrogen in Migraine than may be warranted. Yes, hormonal issues are a Migraine trigger for many women as are drinking alcohol and smoking. Yet there are many women for whom none of those things are triggers. Migraine specialist and researcher Dr. Fred Sheftell commented,
"Certainly hormonal issues affect migraine, and it is likely the main reason women have a higher prevalence, but as far as I know, it is not a chronic state of low estrogen."
It's good to see them looking at other possibilities such as the use of NSAIDs in this second study. As the authors stated, further work IS needed to determine what accounts for the relationship between Migraine and reduced risk of breast cancer. As this research is continued, it would be helpful to add Migraine researchers to this team of cancer researchers.
It is still too soon to state unequivocally that Migraine disease itself reduces the risk of breast cancer. The current research should not lead women to discontinue breast examinations or mammograms.
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Resources:
1 Li, Christopher I.; Mathes, Robert W.; Malone, Kathleen E.; Darling, Janet R.; Bernstein, Leslie; Marchbanks, Polly A.; Strom, Brian L.; Simon, Michael S.; Press, Michael F.; Deapen, Dennis; Burkman, Ronald T.; Folger, Suzanne G.; McDonald, Jill A.; Spirtas, Robert. "Relationship between Migraine History and Breast Cancer Risk among Premenopausal and Postmenopausal Women." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention 2009;18(7). July 2009.
2 Staff Writer. "Breast cancer risk lower in migraine sufferers." Reuters. July 9, 2009.
3 Ellis, Madeline. "Migraine Sufferers Appear to Have Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer." HealthNews. July 13, 2009.
4 Mathes, Robert W.; Malone, Kathleen E.; Daling, Janet R.; Davis, Scott; Lucas, Syliva M.; Porter, Peggy L.; Li, Christopher I. "Migraine in Postmenopausal Women and the Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer." Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers, & Prevention. 2008;17(11). November 2008.
5 Interview. Dr. Fred Sheftell. Founder and Director of the New England Center for Headache. Teri Robert. July 13, 2009.
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© Teri Robert, 2009. Last updated July 13, 2009.
