Breast cancer risk from using HRT is ‘twice what was thought’ | Science | The Guardian
Current or recent past users of hormonal replacement therapy HRT have a higher risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer. Before the link between HRT use and breast cancer risk was established, many postmenopausal women took HRT for many years to ease menopausal symptoms hot flashes, fatigue and to reduce bone loss. Still, many women continue to use HRT to handle bothersome menopausal symptoms. Combination HRT also increases the likelihood that the cancer may be found at a more advanced stage, as well as increasing the risk that a woman diagnosed with breast cancer will die from the disease.
Does hormone replacement therapy increase cancer risk?
The risk of breast cancer from using hormone replacement therapy is double what was previously thought, according to a major piece of research, which confirms that HRT is a direct cause of the cancer. The findings of the definitive study will cause concern among the 1 million women in the UK and millions more around the world who are using HRT. It finds that the longer women take it, the greater their risk, with the possibility that just one year is risk-free. It also finds that the risk does not go away as soon as women stop taking it, as had been previously assumed.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that begins and grows in the breast. Malignant tumors can grow and invade nearby tissues or travel to distant organs. This progression is called metastasis. Breast cancer treatment aims to remove these tumors and prevent future tumor growth.