Late age in menopause and the use of hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk of basal cell skin cancer.
Researchers from the National Cancer Institute in Maryland (USA) analyzed data from a wider study (US Radiologic Technologists Study) in terms of the relationship between reproductive factors and the development of basal cell carcinoma, which is the most common malignant skin cancer.
After adjusting for sun exposure, predisposition, and lifestyle, the researchers found that women who started the menopause after the age of 55 and those who had been using hormone replacement therapy for ten or more years were more likely to develop cancer.
The risk of development was not influenced by the age of the first menstruation, having children, the time of birth of the first child, fertility, hysterectomy (i.e. surgical removal of the uterus) or the use of hormonal contraception.
The authors announce the continuation of the research, because they want to determine whether women using hormone replacement therapy are a risk group that requires more frequent screening.