Hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms may indicate a lower risk for certain types of breast cancer, according to a study from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington.
Funded by the National Cancer Institute, researchers interviewed 1,437 post-menopausal women who lived in the area; 988 had been diagnosed with breast cancer, and 449 had not. They questioned the women about any symptoms they experienced in menopause.
Research showed that women who suffered frequent, intense hot flashes, may have less risk of developing the disease.
Hormones like estrogen and progesterone play key roles for certain cancers. At menopause, human production of these hormones decrease, however, scientists believe that a rapid decrease in estrogen and progesterone may be at the heart of strong hot flash symptoms.