Estradiol and free estradiol were significantly higher prior to diagnosis of ER-negative breast cancer compared with controls.
Estradiol, free estradiol, free testosterone and SHBG were significantly higher before ER-positive breast cancer diagnosis compared with controls.
Women had a twofold increased ER-negative breast cancer risk if estradiol and free estradiol were in the top quintile but not androgens or SHBG.
These associations remained significant only when samples closer to diagnosis were analyzed rather than farer.