Analysis of Breast Health Outcomes in Women on Oral 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study
September 2024
in “
Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology
”
TLDR Oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitors do not increase breast cancer or benign breast disorder risk in women.
This retrospective cohort study analyzed breast cancer and benign breast disorder incidence in 810 women exposed to oral 5-alpha reductase inhibitors (5-ARI) compared to 5472 matched controls. The study found no significant difference in the incidence of breast cancer or benign breast disorders between the two groups, suggesting that oral 5-ARI use does not increase the risk of these conditions in women. However, the study's limitations include reliance on ICD codes for diagnosis, lack of detailed family history or genetic predisposition data, and a predominantly peri/postmenopausal population. Further research with larger, prospective studies is recommended to confirm these findings.