Hormone replacement therapy and the risk of breast cancer.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has had a chequered history ever since its initial use to manage menopausal symptoms. It is clear that it has many other effects and here we review its impact on the risk of breast cancer. A clear risk is seen for current uses of combined oestrogen/progestagen pills, but this returns to normal shortly after treatment cessation. The role of oestrogen only replacement therapy is less clear, but most studies find a weaker, but still positive, association in current users. Recent sharp reductions in HRT use have been correlated with declines in breast cancer incidence in the USA, but not so clearly elsewhere.
Cuzick
Jack
J
Cancer Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, Mathematics and Statistics, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary, University of London, Charterhouse Square, London, UK. jack.cuzick@cancer.org.uk
D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004967:Estrogens / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011372:Progestins / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D016387:Women's Health
D004967:Estrogens; D011372:Progestins