Breast Cancer: Is Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy a Risk?
Postmenopausal hormone replacement treatment (HRT) has been used for many years to help relieve postmenopausal symptoms and slow or prevent osteoporosis. However, in the last several years many studies have raised concerns about the association of HRT and the increased risk of developing breast cancer. Although the specifics of these studies show some variability, the consensus is as follows.
It is clear at this time that long-term use of combined hormone therapy (estrogen plus progesterone) increases the risk of breast cancer and may increase the chance of dying of breast cancer. The use of estrogen alone and its effect on breast cancer incidence is less clear, but some studies have found that long-term use of estrogen (more than 10 years) increases the risk of ovarian and breast cancer.
So what are the current recommendations?
Other than short-term relief of postmenopausal symptoms, there are few strong reasons for use of postmenopausal hormone treatment. If HRT is needed for relief of postmenopausal symptoms, each woman should work with her physician to find the lowest possible dose that works for her and for the shortest amount of time.