How the Menstrual Cycle Affects Cancer Spread
Author Information
Author(s): Ben-Eliyahu S, Shakhar G, Shakhar K, Melamed R
Primary Institution: Department of Psychology, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
Hypothesis
The clinical observation of varying metastatic development and long-term mortality in breast cancer patients may be partly due to surgery-induced adrenergic suppression of NK-dependent resistance to metastasis, influenced by the menstrual phase during surgery.
Conclusion
The study found that the menstrual cycle modulates adrenergic suppression of natural killer activity and resistance to metastasis, particularly during phases with high oestradiol levels.
Supporting Evidence
- The suppressive effects of the β-adrenergic agonist on resistance to metastasis were significantly greater during the oestrous phase with high oestradiol levels.
- Natural killer activity was suppressed by stress only during the high oestradiol phase.
- In untreated animals, no effects of the oestrous cycle on natural killer activity or resistance to metastasis were evident.
Takeaway
This study shows that the time in a woman's menstrual cycle can change how her body fights cancer after surgery.
Methodology
Rats were injected with a β-adrenergic agonist or vehicle before tumor cell inoculation, and natural killer activity was assessed at different phases of the oestrous cycle.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the controlled environment and stress factors in animal studies.
Limitations
The study was conducted in rats, which may not fully replicate human responses.
Participant Demographics
140 female F344 rats at different phases of their oestrous cycle.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website