ESTETROL - A NEW APPROACH TO PRESCRIBING COCS FOR WOMEN WITH BENIGN BREAST CANCER

Abstract

Estetrol (E4), a natural estrogen synthesized exclusively by the human fetal liver during pregnancy, has garnered significant attention in recent years due to its unique properties and potential therapeutic applications. Initially discovered in 1965, E4 was largely overlooked for decades, deemed a weak estrogen with limited therapeutic potential. However, renewed interest in the early 2000s led to its development as a key component in a new combined oral contraceptive (COC). E4's prolonged half-life, high bioavailability, and low affinity for estrogen receptors make it a promising candidate for safer hormone therapy, particularly in women with benign breast cancer. Its minimal impact on liver metabolism, hemostasis, and breast health, combined with a favorable venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk profile, further supports its use in this population. This article explores the pharmacokinetics, safety profile, and therapeutic potential of estetrol, highlighting its role in a novel approach to COC prescription for women with benign breast cancer. Aziza Lutpullaeva Obstetrician Gynecologist, Republican Specialized Scientific Practical Medical Center for Maternal and Child Health, Uzbekistan