Women on GLP-1 medications may be less likely to develop breast cancer
New data presented during the annual meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology suggests that GLP-1 medications may potentially help shield women from breast cancer.
Led by Elizabeth McDonald, MD, PhD, a professor of radiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, the observational study’s findings highlight a potential link between GLP-1s and a decrease in breast cancer incidence rates. Among the more than 110,000 cases included in the analysis, researchers determined that those who were on a GLP-1 medication were 35% less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
The study, which was managed by the American College of Radiology, is raising important questions related to the far-reaching benefits of GLP-1 use; there is ample data highlighting the therapeutic impact of these medications in cardiovascular diseases, addiction and kidney and liver diseases, but less is known about how the drugs affect oncology-related disease processes.
These new findings suggest there might be a real connection between GLP-1 use and decreased cancer risk, but it does not prove causation. Still, the results warrant further investigation, says ACR’s Chief Research Officer Etta D. Pisano, MD, FACR.
“More widespread breast cancer screening and improved treatments have contributed to a more than 40% decline in breast cancer deaths in the past 40 years,” Pisano, who also served as a senior author on the study, said in a release. “We need a large prospective study to determine whether use of these GLP-1 drugs can help many women avoid developing the disease at all. Given the evidence to date, that is a next logical and potentially lifesaving step.”
ACR leaders are now calling for additional funding for more extensive research to further probe the impact these drugs might have on cancer incidence and prevention.
In addition to her background in journalism, Hannah also has patient-facing experience in clinical settings, having spent more than 12 years working as a registered rad tech. She began covering the medical imaging industry for Innovate Healthcare in 2021.