HRT + the KRAS-Variant
HRT + The KRAS-Variant
Studies have found maintaining estrogen levels with hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may help reduce cancer risk for women with the inherited KRAS-variant.7
Estrogen and the inherited KRAS-variant
The use of estrogen as HRT during menopause has come with some controversy, due to a study in 2004,12 while more recent research suggests HRT can be a safe and healthy option for many women.13-16
Unfortunately, HRT’s use decreased dramatically after the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative Study reported an association between HRT and worse health outcomes, including increased breast cancer risk.12
However, follow up studies indicated that there were some women for whom estrogen decreases breast cancer risk. These subgroups remained to be identified, until recently.
A MiraKind study showed that maintaining estrogen levels decreases cancer risk in women with the inherited KRAS-variant.7
Estrogen withdrawal occurs:
- After oophorectomy (the removal of both ovaries)
- After discontinuation of HRT
- At menopause
The study’s most important findings were that for women with the inherited KRAS-variant, estrogen withdrawal and lower estrogen levels were significantly associated with a risk of developing an aggressive breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
The findings of the study were published in 2015 in the scientific article “Estrogen Withdrawal, Increased Breast Cancer Risk and the KRAS-variant.” 7
MiraKind is conducting a research study to find more answers for women about HRT and breast cancer risk
In 2019, we began working on a study to define how personal genetics predict breast cancer risk for women taking HRT. Our goal has been to find other genetic biomarkers, like the inherited KRAS-variant, that can be used to identify people at lower, OR higher risk of breast cancer from HRT.
Should you get tested for the KRAS-variant?
If you are considering a premenopausal oophorectomy or are peri-menopausal, learning whether you have the inherited KRAS-variant can help you make the important decision about whether or not HRT is right for you.
Why join a MiraKind research study?
If you are on or considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), you are eligible for our research studies. By joining a MiraKind study, you can play a role in helping MiraKind answer some of the most pressing questions associated with cancer risk for individuals with inherited variants like the KRAS-variant.
