ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between female estrogen metabolism and breast cancer.MethodBy searching the contents of Chinese Knowledge Network, Wanfang Database, PubMed and other databases, the relationship between breast cancer hormone receptor status, menstrual status and estrogen metabolism and breast cancer, estrogen metabolism pathway and signal in vivo a review of the transduction aspects.ResultsEstrogen and its metabolites was closely related to the occurrence and development of breast cancer. Among the main metabolic pathways of estrogen, 2-methoxyestradiol in the 2-hydroxy metabolic pathway had a potential protective effect on breast cancer; 4-hydroxyestradiol, 16α-hydroxyestrone might induce breast cancer; the ratio of 4-hydroxyestradiol to 2-hydroxyestradiol might be used as a biomarker for predicting malignant breast tumors. However, the estrogen metabolism patterns before and after menopause were different, and the effects on hormone receptor status were also different. Different hormone receptor status might affect the treatment and prognosis of breast cancer.ConclusionsThe relationship between estrogen and its metabolites and breast cancer in different receptor states is not completely clear. More large-scale prospective studies are needed to help us find out the rules to promote early diagnosis and early prevention of breast cancer.