New thesis explores the role of oestrogens and antibiotics on cancer development
Hi there, Johanna Simin, PhD student in Clinical Epidemiology at the Centre for Translational Microbiome Research at Karolinska Institutet! You will defend your thesis entitled "The role of oestrogens and antibiotics on the development of cancer" on 1 June 2021. Can you tell us a little more?
What’s the focus of your thesis?
"This thesis aims at evaluating the long-term effects of commonly prescribed drugs on the risk of cancer. Studies include the potential impact of menopausal hormone therapy on cancer and cancer-specific mortality risks among Swedish women utilizing the high-quality registries based on prospective and population-based cohort designs."
"Additionally, a systematic review with a dose-response meta-analysis has been carried out to explore the association between oral antibiotics intake and the risk of colorectal cancer."
What are your main findings?
"Overall, the cancer risk associated with menopausal hormones was slightly higher compared with the reference population. Yet, the excess risk of mostly reproductive organ cancers was almost offset by the lower risk of gastrointestinal tract cancers. In fact, our data suggest better colorectal cancer survival in pre-diagnostic past users of oestrogens. On the other hand, the meta-analysis reveals an increased risk of colorectal cancer, particularly among broad-spectrum antibiotic users but with a weak dose-response association."
How can these results contribute to people’s health?
"Apparently, the carcinogenic risks linked to the use of menopausal hormones have been overestimated, if used according to the recommendations. If treatment is initiated close to menopausal onset among healthy women without contraindications or an increased risk of reproductive organ cancers, the benefits seem to outweigh the risks."
"Regarding the use of antibiotics, the increased risk of colorectal cancer observed point to stricter prescription guidelines, especially for individuals with risk factors."
What are your future directions?
"I want to continue conducting meaningful and applicable pharmacoepidemiologic research on the safety of commonly prescribed medications taking advantage of the high-quality register-based data available in the Nordic countries to identify potential risks or even health benefits for human health."