Exploring The Historical Stigma Of Spironolactone Use In Breast Cancer Survivors With Alopecia

The article reviews the historical stigma associated with spironolactone use in breast cancer survivors with alopecia, highlighting that concerns about its potential to increase breast cancer risk are unfounded. Initial fears stemmed from a 1975 case series and 1980s animal studies, but subsequent research, including a 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis, has shown no association between spironolactone and breast cancer. Despite the FDA removing breast cancer as a listed adverse effect in 2018, the stigma persists, leading to underutilization of an effective treatment for alopecia in breast cancer survivors. The article advocates for the reconsideration of spironolactone in managing alopecia without fear of cancer recurrence.