New evidence shows that extended estrogen suppression treatment using an aromatase inhibitors for hormone receptor-positive postmenopausal breast cancer is safe; it does not increase the risk of coronary artery calcification, a sign of active coronary atherosclerosis , as some prior studies had indicated. An article in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology , published by Elsevier, details the findings from a retrospective, cross-sectional observational study that investigated the association between the duration of aromatase inhibitor treatment and the severity of coronary artery calcification in postoperative breast cancer patients. Coronary artery calcification is a significant predictor of adverse outcomes in the general population, which is believed to be associated with atherosclerosis, the condition that causes angina and heart attacks.
Despite estrogen's beneficial role in cardiovascular health, its suppression is often necessary in patients with breast cancer. Hormonal therapy, particularly the use of aromatase inhibitors (which block the production of estrogen), is a standard treatment after breast cancer surgery for postmenopausal women. While these therapies are effective in reducing cancer recurrence, there is increasing concern about their potential cardiovascular side effects, including acceleration of coronary artery atherosclerosis.
Lead investigator Yu Hiasa, MD, Department of Cardiology, Pulmonology, Hypertension & Nephrology, Ehime University Graduate School o.