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Hypertension, diuretics and breast cancer risk

Journal of Human Hypertension volume 20, pages 727–732 (2006)Cite this article

Abstract

It is unclear whether hypertension and antihypertensive medication use are associated with breast cancer. In order to examine these associations, we conducted a case–control study among women aged 50–75 years. Breast cancer cases were ascertained via a population-based cancer registry (n=523) and controls were ascertained via random-digit-dialing (n=131). Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire which queried history of hypertension, antihypertensive medication use and risk factors. Unconditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), diabetes, smoking, alcohol use, menopausal status, family history of breast or ovarian cancer, age at first full-term pregnancy and education. History of treated hypertension was associated with significant increased risk of breast cancer (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.04–3.03) and this association appeared only in women with BMI ⩾25 kg/m2 (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.12–4.71). Diuretic use was also associated with elevated breast cancer risk (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.07–3.01). The risk associated with diuretic use increased with duration of use (P for trend, <0.01). Use of other blood pressure medications was not found to be associated with breast cancer risk. These results support a positive association between treated hypertension, diuretic use and breast cancer risk among women aged 50–75 years.

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Acknowledgements

This research is supported by National Cancer Institute Grant number R01 CA058860.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Epidemiology Division, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, USA

    J A Largent, A J McEligot, A Ziogas, C Reid, J Hess, N Leighton, D Peel & H Anton-Culver

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  1. J A Largent
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  2. A J McEligot
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Correspondence to J A Largent.

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Largent, J., McEligot, A., Ziogas, A. et al. Hypertension, diuretics and breast cancer risk. J Hum Hypertens 20, 727–732 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1002075

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