Emerging research has linked GLP-1 medicines to a lower risk of breast cancer and better outcomes among people diagnosed with the disease.
Here are five findings from studies highlighted in an Aug. 20 Breastcancer.org report:
- Lower breast cancer risk. A study of more than 110,000 women ages 45 to 80 with obesity found those taking a GLP-1 had about a 30% lower risk of developing breast cancer. Another study of nearly 230,000 people found GLP-1 users had a 41% lower risk of obesity-related cancers, including breast cancer.
- Lower risk of metastasis. A study of more than 10,200 people with stage I, II or III lung, breast, colorectal or liver cancer found those who started GLP-1 medicines after diagnosis had a lower risk of their cancer spreading to other parts of the body.
- Fewer treatment complications. Among nearly 62,000 people with breast cancer who underwent a mastectomy, GLP-1 users had a 63% lower risk of lymphedema.
- Lower mortality. One study found women with breast cancer taking a GLP-1 were 60% less likely to die from any cause, including breast cancer, over the 10-year follow-up period. Experts cautioned that missing data could have affected the results.
- Improved DCIS outcomes. Among people with hormone receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ, or DCIS, GLP-1 users had a 74% lower risk of progression to invasive or metastatic cancer. Researchers cautioned that the study had an unexpectedly high number of metastatic cancers, raising questions about the accuracy of the DCIS diagnoses.
All of the studies were retrospective, and participants were taking GLP-1s because they had diabetes, obesity or both. So far, studies have not examined cancer risk or outcomes among GLP-1 users without diabetes or obesity.
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