Does HGH Cause Cancer

If you are wondering, "Does HGH cause cancer," there is very little reason to be concerned about the alleged link between growth hormone therapy and cancer risk.

There have been many reports of side effects and potentially serious consequences of using HGH. First of all, you need to understand that most, if not all, of these dangers come from the abuse or illegal use of HGH. When properly prescribed for you for a legitimate growth hormone deficiency (GHD) and when used as prescribed, there is very little risk of using HGH – particularly of cancer.

Again, let us restate that. There have never been any reports of incidence of cancer in otherwise healthy individuals. Growth hormone replacement therapy is only contraindicated in patients with existing cancer or a history of cancer. Overall HGH therapy in children and adults is safe and well tolerated.

The alleged link between HGH and an increased incidence of cancer stems from the fact that as a "growth hormone," it stimulates cellular growth, and presumably, that means it could feed tumor growth. However, you need to understand that while it is possible that, in certain circumstances, HGH can fuel existing tumor cells, it IS NOT a carcinogen. In other words, it cannot cause the disease in a body that is otherwise cancer-free. Clinical trials indicate that HGH therapy could possibly raise the risk in patients only with a previous history of certain cancers, such as colorectal cancer, bladder cancer or prostate cancer, and, therefore, should be prescribed with caution in such patients.

But understand that in otherwise healthy adults with growth hormone deficiencies (hypopituitary adults) there is little or no evidence that HGH raises the risk of cancer. In fact, clinical trials have suggested that HGH replacement therapy may even lower your risk of developing certain types of malignancies. These trials have found that cancer-free adults treated with HGH therapy had no higher risk of developing cancer than untreated patients.

Therefore, most adults with growth hormone deficiency who have been prescribed HGH as treatment should not be concerned about HGH use and cancer risk.

Understanding HGH and its Role in the Body

Human growth hormone (HGH) is a hormone produced naturally by the pituitary gland that plays a critical role in growth and development. HGH stimulates or regulates almost every bodily process that allows a child to grow into a healthy adult of full stature. Even once we are fully grown, HGH continues to play a vital role in cellular growth and the replacement of dead or damaged cells. Because of its ability to promote tissue growth, it has led to the mostly misconceived notion that HGH therapy can increase cancer risk.

To once again clarify, there is little or no evidence that HGH therapy increases the risk of cancerous growth in otherwise healthy individuals.

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What Does the Medical Research Say About HGH and Cancer?

Epidemiological studies on the impact of HGH use on cancer risk in adults diagnosed with growth hormone issues are somewhat mixed. Some cohort studies suggest that HGH may increase the risk of certain very specific tumors in particular users, while others suggest that it does little or nothing to increase the risk in most individuals.

Studies Linking HGH to Cancer

There is no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest treating people with growth hormone therapy causes cancer in any greater numbers than untreated patients. However, there have been some concerns about the potential risks of growth hormone therapy in individuals with a history of previous cancer or with a predisposition to developing the disease.

All of the studies that indicated a link between HGH and the disease only showed such a link in patients with previous cancer or existing cancer. There are very few statistical analyses in the medical literature that have ever shown spontaneous primary tumor growth from supplemental HGH in otherwise healthy humans with normal pituitary function. For example, a recent 2022 study published in Frontiers in Pediatrics concluded, “[All] available evidence suggests only an increased risk of secondary tumors in HGH recipients.”

Insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a compound related to HGH, is known to stimulate the growth of certain kinds of malignant cells. There have been some animal models that at one time suggested an association between levels of IGF-I and cancer in mice. However, a 2019 study concluded, “…while there is strong evidence for a role of the [IGF-1] in the development, maintenance, and spread of tumors based on experimental data obtained in cellular and animal models, such evidence is weak in humans.”

A comprehensive literature search would reveal that practically all of the studies attempting to show a link between HGH and cancer reported mixed results, with few, if any, showing a clear link between HGH treatment and increased risk in patients without a previous cancer history. The same is true in clinical practice.

Even studies of adult cancer survivors who used HGH failed to show a significantly increased risk of cancer return in those who do not have active malignancy at the time of use.

Experts in the field generally agree about the long-term safety of HGH when it is used appropriately. According to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the risk of cancer associated with HGH therapy is low, and the benefits of the therapy generally outweigh the potential risks.

However, due to the inconclusiveness of the research, extreme care should be taken in evaluating the risk of tumor progression or cancer in individuals treated with HGH. Particularly those with current or a history of prostate cancer or bladder cancer. Given the cumulative analyses of the studies on HGH and increased cancer risk, healthcare providers should thoroughly screen patients for any underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of cancer before starting HGH therapy.

Studies Challenging the HGH-Cancer Link

As mentioned above, there is some experimental evidence that shows a possible link between HGH therapy in adults and tumor growth. While some studies have suggested a possible link, the evidence is mostly inconclusive. There are far more studies that indicate the safety of growth hormone. Here is an overview of some of the key studies that have investigated HGH therapy in adults and cancer risk factors.

• The French SAGhE study – This study followed 7,000 patients who received HGH therapy as children between 1985 and 1996. The study found a small but statistically significant increase in the risk of death from malignancy among those who received HGH therapy compared to those who did not receive it. However, the study did not find an increased risk of overall incidence of tumor or malignancy or malignancies or malignant neoplasm.
• The UK National Study of Pituitary Disease – This study followed over 6,000 patients with pituitary disease, including those who received HGH therapy, for an average of 19 years. The study found no significant increase in the risk of overall cancer incidence among those who received HGH therapy compared to the general population.
• The German KIMS study – This study followed over 14,000 patients who received HGH therapy between 1986 and 2000. The study found no significant increase in the risk of overall cancer incidence among those who received HGH therapy compared to the general population.
• Growth hormone meta-analysis – A 2016 meta-analysis of 9 trials with a total of nearly 12,000 participants actually found a lower risk of cancer in individuals with growth hormone deficiencies who underwent HGH therapy.

The Bottom Line: Should You Be Concerned About HGH and Cancer?

The bottom line is, if you have been diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency (GHD), even adult-onset or "age-related" GHD, as long as you are otherwise cancer-free, there is very little reason to be concerned about cancer risk. However, please share with your doctor any history of cancer so that a proper evaluation of your risk may be ascertained.

While there have been concerns about the potential link between HGH therapy and cancer, the evidence is quite limited and inconclusive. Many studies have been conducted on this topic, and few, if any, have demonstrated in any definitive way that HGH therapy can stimulate the development of cancer.

As long as you use HGH with proper medical supervision and long-term monitoring, for most patients, the benefits of HGH far outweigh any potential risks of side effects or adverse events.

Experts generally agree that HGH therapy is safe and effective when used appropriately and as prescribed. As long as patients are screened for any underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of cancer before starting HGH therapy and careful clinical monitoring is employed, most patients should enjoy a worry-free journey when taking HGH.

Now that you know the truth about HGH and cancer, why not take a minute to contact us and learn more about the many other ways the benefits of HGH outweigh any of its potential risks?