Applying estrogen gel - is boobs definite no go

[sleepraptor]

Hi, I've seen that the guidance document and a few places online say don't apply the gel to your boobs. I'm presuming this may be due to the link to breast cancer. However, is this the case and proven, or given topical oestrogen doesn't increase risk of breast cancer, is this more just because it hasn't been tested in that area?

I obviously don't want to take any risks but i've ended up with cellulite on the back of, and a much larger circumference around, my thighs where i've been applying it over the last year. The only part of my body I would want to increase is my breast size! So if there is no risk I would like to apply there (I'll still need to apply some elsewhere as doing up to 3 pumps). I have recently moved to arms (as per a video on Louise NEwson website) but again don't really want to add fat there either.

However, is this the case and proven, or given topical oestrogen doesn't increase risk of breast cancer, is this more just because it hasn't been tested in that area?

There is no more, or less, risk with gel than other forms of estrogen.
No one has ever said gel has no risk. It has a lower risk of blood clots compared to tablets.

obviously don't want to take any risks but i've ended up with cellulite on the back of, and a much larger circumference around, my thighs where i've been applying it over the last year.

There is no connection between where anyone applies gel and an increase in fat.

The theory behind HRT and B Cancer is that in some women, estrogen may promote the growth of an existing (minute) cancer (helped by also using progesterone.) So rubbing it into your boobs is a complete no-no.

Wherever you apply gel or use patch, the estrogen is absorbed into your blood stream. It can't add inches to the area where you apply it.

Mine says apply to outside of upper arms, or inside of thighs…

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/risks.php
Medical site written by an NHS consultant gynaecologist

There is no evidence that gel is any different to patches or tablets re. BC.

You are supposed to apply gel to the inner thighs, or the top of your arms (at the back away from your breasts.) If you can't spread all the gel there (if there's too much gel) you can do inner thighs as well or apply the gel further down your arm to the elbow.

Breast CancerCurrent opinion is that HRT taken for less than 5 years does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer but studies have shown that after 5 years of use, there is an association with a small increased risk. Once HRT has been stopped, the risk returns back to baseline. This suggests that the use of HRT may promote the growth of breast cancer cells which are already present if HRT is taken for more than 5 years after the age of 50, in some women; there is no evidence that HRT causes breast cancer.

It seems very likely that different types of HRT are associated with different risk, estrogen appears to increase the risk very little while there appears to be a small increased risk of cancer promotion with long term use of estrogen combined with progestogen (combined HRT).

Thanks very much for the info and the link