Hormone receptor positive breast cancer has both estrogen receptor positive (ER+) and progesterone receptor positive (PR+) tumor receptors. Systemic treatments for ER+/PR+ tumors for the most part regulate ER expression, oppose aromatase or inhibit estrogen binding to estrogen receptors. See also ER+/PR+ recurrence & survival data.
Breast cancer patients with ER+/PR+ tumors have a more favorable prognosis than the other estrogen/progesterone subtypes (ER+/PR-, ER-/PR+, or ER-/PR-). Tumor properties, such as their grade and size, lymph node status and proliferation index, have been demonstrated to influence outcomes. These prognostic factors are established as of diagnosis and biopsy.
However, most early-stage breast cancer patients have the opportunity to influence their prognosis over time with lifestyle choices. And since this is the most hormonally driven subtype, ER+/PR+ breast cancer survivors have the greatest opportunity to influence their outcomes with choices that can influence estrogen and other hormone levels directly or indirectly.
Non-dietary factors promoting ER+/PR+ progression
The following have the potential to promote ER+/PR+ breast cancer progression:
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- High systemic inflammation
- Lack of endocrine treatment
- Exposure to endocrine disruptors such as BPA, phthalates, and parabens
- Exposure to certain heavy metals such as cadmium, copper or arsenic
- Smoking cigarettes or e-cigarettes
- Persistent exposure to light at night
- Occupational exposure to radiation
- Exposure to significant air pollution
Sources of information provided in this webpage
The information above, which is updated continually as new research becomes available, has been developed based solely on the results of academic studies. Clicking on any of the underlined words will take you to its tag or webpage, which contain more extensive information.
Below are links to recent studies concerning this topic. For a more complete list of studies, please click on ER+/PR+. Please also see our articles on ER+/PR+ recurrence & survival data, hormone receptor positive breast cancer (which describes ER+/PR+ disease) and diet for ER+/PR+ breast cancer patients and survivors.