Researchers recently examined the effects of hormone-related supplements (HRS) on breast cancer risk and found that black cohosh may help manage menopausal symptoms and prevent breast cancer.
Researchers from University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine in Philadelphia evaluated whether use of HRS was associated with breast cancer risk, using a population-based case-control study in three counties of the Philadelphia metropolitan area consisting of 949 breast cancer cases and 1,524 controls.
Use of HRS varied significantly by race, with African American women being more likely than European American women to use any herbal preparation (19.2 percent vs. 14.7 percent), as well as specific preparations including black cohosh (5.4 percent vs. 2.0 percent), ginseng (12.5 percent vs. 7.9 percent) and red clover (4.7 percent vs. 0.6 percent).
The researchers found that use of black cohosh had a significant breast cancer protective effect. This association was similar among women who reported use of either black cohosh or Remifemin®, an herbal preparation derived from black cohosh. The literature reports that black cohosh may be effective in treating menopausal symptoms, and has antiestrogenic, antiproliferative and antioxidant properties.
Researchers concluded that additional confirmatory studies are required to determine whether black cohosh could be used to prevent breast cancer.
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