Hormone replacement therapy and breast cancer risk.
The female breast is subject to a lifetime of hormonal control. After menopause, breast tissue becomes quiescent when estrogens drop to low levels. Menopause-associated hormonal decreases produce short- and long-term consequences that can be treated successfully by hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Despite the beneficial effects of HRT, the potential risk of breast cancer is a concern of both women and physicians. The available data indicate that HRT administered for longer than 5 years moderately increases the risk of breast cancer, but overall the benefits outweight the potential risk.
Koukoulis
G N
GN
VA General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D012307:Risk Factors