NEW YORK, November 15
Cancer Information and Support International (Reuters Health)
In younger, premenopausal women, the timing of breast cancer surgery may have a strong influence on overall chances for patient survival, researchers conclude.
In a study of 112 premenopausal women, Dr. Ian Fentiman and colleagues from Guy's Hospital, London, UK, found that breast cancer surgery performed between days 3 and 12 of the menstrual cycle was associated with reduced chances for patient survival, compared with surgery conducted on other days. Day 1 of the menstrual cycle is the first day of menstrual bleeding.
Forty-five procent of women who had breast cancer surgery between days 3 and 12 of the cycle were alive 10 years later, Fentiman's team reports in the November 15th issue of Cancer.
In contrast, of the women who had breast cancer surgery on any other day of the menstrual cycle, 75% were alive 10 years later.
The researchers note that the female hormone progesterone is released by the body beginning on about day 15 of the cycle. They speculate that this hormone might help hold breast tumors together, reducing the number of cancer cells that escape into surrounding tissue during surgery.
Whatever the explanation, Fentiman and his colleagues recommend that breast cancer surgery be scheduled to coincide with the 'good' phase of a woman's menstrual cycle to enhance her chance of survival.
SOURCE: Cancer 1999;86:2053-2058.