As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, it’s a powerful time to reflect on what prevention and awareness truly mean. While October reminds us of the importance of early detection and screening, it’s also an opportunity to look deeper—at the root causes and protective factors that influence women’s health every day of the year.
For decades, women have been told to ‘watch their hormones,’ often warned that estrogen and other hormones might increase breast cancer risk. But new research tells a different story—one of balance, protection, and empowerment. Groundbreaking evidence published in *BMC Cancer* (Glaser et al., 2019) suggests that testosterone therapy may actually help lower the risk of invasive breast cancer. At Revitalizing Health & Hormones, we believe knowledge is power—and understanding the truth about hormones helps women make confident, informed choices for their health.
What the Research Shows
The 10-year prospective cohort study, led by Dr. Rebecca Glaser, followed over 1,200 pre- and postmenopausal women who received subcutaneous testosterone implants—with or without a small amount of anastrozole (a medication that helps balance estrogen).
The findings were remarkable:
- The incidence of invasive breast cancer among women on testosterone therapy was just 165 cases per 100,000 women per year—less than half the national average reported by SEER data (approximately 271 per 100,000).
- Women who remained consistent with therapy had even lower rates of breast cancer—suggesting long-term hormone balance may be protective.
- Researchers concluded that maintaining a healthy testosterone-to-estrogen ratio may reduce breast cancer risk by limiting estrogen’s proliferative effects on breast tissue (*Glaser et al., BMC Cancer, 2019*).
Why Testosterone Matters for Women
Testosterone isn’t just a ‘male’ hormone—it plays an essential role in women’s health too. It supports energy, muscle and bone strength, mood, libido, and overall hormonal balance.
When testosterone levels drop (or when estrogen becomes dominant), the body’s equilibrium shifts. This imbalance can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, low libido, mood swings, and even higher disease risk.
Restoring optimal testosterone levels through bioidentical hormone therapy may help protect breast tissue while improving how women feel day to day.
How Testosterone May Offer Protection
According to the *BMC Cancer* study, testosterone has several potential anti-cancer effects. It may help:
- Counteract the stimulating effects of estrogen on breast tissue
- Inhibit breast cell proliferation
- Promote normal cell differentiation and reduce inflammation
- Maintain hormonal balance when combined with a small dose of anastrozole to keep estrogen levels in check
Together, these effects may create an environment less favorable for cancer cell growth—helping protect breast health naturally.
Science, Safety, and Empowerment
Unlike traditional estrogen or estrogen-progestin therapies, which have been linked to higher breast cancer risk, testosterone therapy appears to offer protection rather than harm. The therapy used in the study—tiny testosterone pellets placed under the skin—provides a steady, natural release of hormone, avoiding the peaks and drops seen with oral or topical treatments.
For many women, this means not only improved quality of life, but also peace of mind knowing that balanced hormones can support their health in multiple ways.
The Bottom Line
As we wrap up Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this research serves as a hopeful reminder: not all hormones are harmful. In fact, when properly balanced, they can play a protective role in women’s long-term health.
The *BMC Cancer* study reinforces what we see every day at Revitalizing Health & Hormones—balanced hormones help your body thrive, not harm it. If you’ve avoided hormone therapy because of breast cancer fears, it may be time to take another look at the science.
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to an end, let it mark the beginning of your own journey toward hormone balance and prevention. Your hormones are powerful—and when supported properly, they can help protect your body for years to come.
At Revitalizing Health & Hormones, we specialize in safe, individualized hormone optimization using evidence-based protocols—including testosterone pellet therapy for both women and men. We serve Eau Claire, Altoona, Chippewa Falls, and surrounding areas, helping you restore energy, vitality, and confidence at every stage of life.
📞 Call (715) 666-4313 or message us today to schedule your consultation and learn more about hormone therapy options that protect and empower your health.
