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Breast cancer
is one of the leading causes of cancer death in women. The chance that you
might develop cancer depends on both genetic and non-genetic factors. The
latter may include diet, exercise, or exposure to other substances, including
medications.
Hypertension is a chronic
condition that is often treated with medications known as antihypertensive
agents.
Several
different types of antihypertensive
agents include angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitors,
angiotensin-receptor blockers (ARBs), beta blockers, diuretics and
calcium-channel blockers.
Calcium
channel blockers reduce blood pressure by limiting calcium entry into the muscle cells in
the artery wall, thereby limiting muscle contraction.
Channel
blockers include amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Cardizem LA, Tiazac),
isradipine (DynaCirc CR), nicardipine (Cardene SR), nifedipine (Procardia,
Procardia XL, Adalat CC), nisoldipine (Sular), and verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Covera-PM).
Can blood pressure medications linked to breast cancer?
Long-time
users of calcium channel blockers have more than double the risk for getting
breast cancer compared to women not using the blood pressure medications.
According
to new research, postmenopausal women who use this type of antihypertensive
medications for more than 10 years may have a risk of developing breast cancer.
Although these blood pressure medications are widely prescribed, data regarding their
long-term impact is sparse.
Overall,
the use of antihypertensive
agents was not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer—regardless
of whether the use was classified as current, former or short-term.
However,
the results from the research shows that, based on the type and duration of
antihypertensive therapy, calcium-channel blockers had been seen to have a
significant association with breast cancer risk.
In
fact, menopausal women currently taking calcium-channel blockers for 10 or more
years had two and a half times the risk of developing invasive ductal and
invasive lobular cancers compared to women who never used such calcium-channel
blockers and compared to users of other forms of antihypertensive agents.
There
has been some evidence suggesting that some of these blood pressure medications
may be related to breast cancer risk. The study of nearly 3,000 women found
that among high blood pressure drugs, only calcium channel blockers carry the
heightened breast cancer risk.
The
results also indicated that other types of antihypertensive agents, such as
beta blockers, diuretics and ARBs, were not associated with an increased risk
of breast cancer — even when used long term.
However,
several previous studies had investigated the relationship between blood
pressure medications and breast cancer, and findings were varied.
Though
at least three previous studies have hinted at associations between calcium
channel blockers and cancer, there are a few studies that did not find a
link.
Because
calcium has so many vital functions in the human body, the fact that a drug
affecting calcium dynamics could pose serious risk of developing cancer is not
a surprise.
The
changes in intracellular calcium concentration are also believed to regulate
apoptosis as apoptosis — the programmed death of a damaged cell — is one of the
body’s natural defences against cancer.
One
hypothesis is that calcium channel blockers could prevent apoptosis in
cancerous cells, however data on the subject is mixed and more research is
needed.
The
researchers concluded that long-term use of calcium-channel blockers might be
associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women.
More research is needed to confirm this hypothesis and to evaluate the
underlying mechanisms.
Despite
the potential for concern raised by this study, the findings don't warrant any
modifications of clinical practice. This was a good study, but it doesn't mean
doctors should stop prescribing calcium channel blockers because it is an
observational study.
Always
consult with your doctor if you have any concerns about breast cancer risk and blood
pressure medications.
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