Postmenopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer. A clinician's view.
Reports from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) and the Million Women Study have indicated that postmenopausal hormone therapy increases the risk of breast cancer. At this point in time, it is not certain whether these data reflect a small increase in risk or an impact of hormone therapy on pre-existing tumors. The purpose of this review is to provide an analysis of the epidemiologic data that can help the clinician inform patients and assist patients in their decision-making.
Speroff
Leon
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland, OR 97201, USA. lsperoff@msn.com
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003657:Decision Making; D015914:Estrogen Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017698:Postmenopause; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors