Study: Migraines Cut Breast Cancer Risk By 30 Percent

[Why Syzygy]

In a puzzling twist, women who have a history of migraine headaches are far less likely to develop breast cancer than other women, U.S. researchers said on Thursday.

The study is the first to look at the relationship between breast cancer and migraines and its findings may point to new ways of reducing a woman's breast cancer risk, they said.

"We found that, overall, women who had a history of migraines had a 30 percent lower risk of breast cancer compared to women who did not have a history of such headaches," said Dr. Christopher Li of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, whose findings appear in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.

Keep reading...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/06/study-migraines-cut-breas_n_141864.html

I always felt that my migraines were hormone related. This appears to be further confirmation.

[whistler162]

1. I forwarded this to a friend who...

SUFFERS from migranes. Made her a little happier, as much as possible with bad migranes, a really bad divorce going on, and the company we work for imploding.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Migraines=hormones

My monthly migraines stopped at the first set in of menopause.
I knew they were hormone related, it did not take a rocket scientist to figure out a 28 day cycle of attacks. Doctors poo-poo'd that idea back then, no "scientific proof" don'tcha know.

Melatonin levels also related to breast cancer, they have found.
Recent study showed women who got less than 6 hours sleep or slept in lighted rooms
( did not say how much light) had higher risk of breast cancer.

[Why Syzygy]

3. Right.

Mine cleared up for the most part sometime before the pause. I did have a terrible one two weeks ago, but it had been a very long time.

Good to know about Melatonin too. I usually take a supplement every night, but I am sleeping in a room that is brighter than I would like. I can change that easily.

[Tallison]

4. I'm 34 and get 72-hour migraines twice monthly

I'm the Imitrex/Maxalt/Phenergan queen during those stretches.

Mom said hers stopped after menopause, too. Glad I have that to look forward to.

[Why Syzygy]

9. The only way I've ever treated mine

is to just sleep. They leave me with a sore spinal column. Is that common?

[Tallison]

12. Hmmm...

It's hard to tell where it hurts during a doozy. Once it breaks, I'm so elated, I'm oblivious to the ankle biters. That said, I don't think I've experienced a sore spinal column, but I do get shoulder and neck cramps pretty bad.

[beam me up scottie]

5. My doctors were very careful about mine, if they're hormonal they wouldn't prescribe bcp.

They were never able to establish a connection and I was finally properly diagnosed by a specialist.

Hell, if I thought menopause would prevent mine, I'd get a hysterectomy Monday.

[Warpy]

7. BCP made my migraines almost constant.

I bloody nearly did get a hysterectomy as birth control.

Fast forward 35 years and I snagged an extra Premarin at work, thinking I'd give myself one good night's sleep during my off nights. Big mistake, instant migraine, lasted about 48 hours. No HRT for me!

It's nice to know the fucking things are good for something, though.

[beam me up scottie]

8. I wish they'd develop a synthetic form of Premarin..

I have a 30-something friend who had a complete hysterectomy last year, it's been hell for her.

Premarin is extremely expensive (no health insurance) and she can't bear the guilt since she learned how the mares are tortured in the premarin "industry".

[wishlist]

13. She can try low dose generic Estropipate (estrogen replacement made from yams)

This estrogen replacement works very well for many women who have had both ovaries removed, helps bone density and very few if any side effects at low dose. Name brand is called 'Ogen' but generics are widely available and inexpensive. My gynecologist who is renowned is his field has prescribed this for many years instead of premarin.

[hlthe2b]

6. Well, there you go....

Of course we migraine sufferers are at far greater risk of going out from strokes.... Keep your blood pressure controlled, ladies.

[peacetalksforall]

10. I can control migraines by being outlandishly careful in avoidng glutamates.

MSG and any of 40+ ingredients called glutamates - very related to msg in side effects - example of a glutamate - hydrolized vegetable protein. It's all on the internet. Also, in avoiding cigarette smoke. 100? or 200? chemical indredients are added - I was told that MSG is one of them. I also avoid alchohol, especially wine - contains sulphites that give me migraines.

Does that mean there is a connection between hormones and glutamates? Or is it all in my imagination.

[Why Syzygy]

11. Could be

Some things can mimic body chemicals (hormones) or perhaps cause them to deviate. I'm not well versed on glutamates. But very well could be.