Migraine in postmenopausal women and the risk of invasive breast cancer.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Mathes, Robert W; Malone, Kathleen E; Daling, Janet R; Davis, Scott; Lucas, Sylvia M; Porter, Peggy L; Li, Christopher I

Source:

Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology, Volume 17, Issue 11, p.3116-22 (2008)

Keywords:

2008, Aged, Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal, Breast Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast, Carcinoma, Lobular, Case-Control Studies, Center-Authored Paper, Epidemiology Core Facility, Female, Human Biology Division, Humans, Logistic Models, Middle Aged, Migraine Disorders, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Postmenopause, Public Health Sciences Division, Risk Assessment, Shared Resources

Abstract:

The frequency of migraine headache changes at various times of a woman's reproductive cycle. Menarche, menses, pregnancy, and perimenopause may carry a different migraine risk conceivably because of fluctuating estrogen levels, and in general, migraine frequency is associated with falling estrogen levels. Given the strong relationship between endogenous estrogen levels and breast cancer risk, migraine sufferers may experience a reduced risk of breast cancer.