Any Links Between Prednisone and Breast Cancer?

[Becca330]

Hello,

I was diagnosed with borderline stage 3 Sarcoidosis in 1995 and was on daily high then moderate doses of prednisone from 1995 to 1999. I've recently been diagnosed with breast cancer, and my doctor noted that the tumor had probably been growing for years. There is no known history of breast cancer in my family.

I've heard there could be links between prednisone and cancer, and am curious if there is any truth to this.

[Londres70]

I am not aware of ANY studies linking prednisone with causing Breast CA.  

[caregiver222]

Prednisone depresses the immune system. Depressing the immune system stops it from identifying and removing cancerous cells. In one experiment one hundred percent of test animals administered prednisone for six months developed malignancies.

That does not necessarily mean that there is a link between taking prednisone and your malignancy. Prednisone can be a life-saving medication, and if used judiciously, the benefits far outweigh the risks.

In aerosols, sprayed into the lungs, the doseage is extremely small.

For specific studies go to the government database PUBMED and do a search.