Relationship between histamine2-receptor antagonist medications and risk of invasive breast cancer.

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Mathes, Robert W; Malone, Kathleen E; Daling, Janet R; 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 1, p.67-72 (2008)

Keywords:

2008, Aged, Anti-Ulcer Agents, Breast Neoplasms, Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast, Carcinoma, Lobular, Case-Control Studies, Center-Authored Paper, Cimetidine, Epidemiology Core Facility, Famotidine, Female, Histamine H2 Antagonists, Human Biology Division, Humans, Middle Aged, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Public Health Sciences Division, Ranitidine, Risk Factors, Shared Resources, Washington

Abstract:

Histamine(2)-receptor antagonist (H(2) blocker) medications are used to treat heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and ulcers. Some H(2) blockers, specifically cimetidine and ranitidine, also increase serum prolactin concentrations. Given the positive relationship between prolactin levels and postmenopausal breast cancer risk, use of H(2) blockers is a potential breast cancer risk factor. The few previous studies evaluating this association have been null but have been limited by small sample sizes, and none have evaluated risk by either histologic type or estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor status.