Postmenopausal estrogen, cancer and other considerations.
The female hormone estrogen is widely prescribed to postmenopausal women. Its major documented benefit is prevention of bone mineral loss, which is a major risk factor for fracture in the elderly. Its clearly documented risk is promotion of cancer of the endometrium. There is a growing body of data that suggests that postmenopausal estrogen therapy reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. This benefit, if real, may be lost when a cyclic progestin is added to reduce the risk of cancer. Further studies are needed to provide a firmer basis for balancing these risks and benefits.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D011372:Progestins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced
D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins