Do Oral Bisphosphonates Affect Endometrial Cancer Risk?

Analysis of Women's Health Initiative data suggests lower risk for endometrial cancer with bisphosphonate use, but findings should be viewed with caution.

Bisphosphonates are widely used by menopausal women, but little is known about the effects of this drug class on risk for endometrial cancer. Investigators analyzed aggregate data from the Women's Health Initiative (which enrolled menopausal women in 1993–1998) to explore this association.

Among 89,918 eligible women, bisphosphonate use was uncommon at baseline (2%) but had risen to 10% by year 6. Alendronate accounted for >90% of bisphosphonate use. During follow-up, new diagnoses of endometrial cancer were made in 1123 women, 53 of whom were bisphosphonate users. Rates of endometrial cancer were 12 and 8 per 10,000 person-years in bisphosphonate nonusers and users, respectively (age-adjusted hazard ratio, 0.76; P=0.01). Adjustment for fact…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Do Oral Bisphosphonates Affect Endometrial Cancer Risk?

Topics

Reviewing Author