MidLife
Research on HRT and breast cancer
Research on HRT and its relationship to breast cancer is inconclusive. The more than 30 observational studies on breast cancer and HRT have not yielded consistent results. The various studies have suggested a reduced risk, no risk or increased risk of breast cancer. As in the studies analyzing heart disease and HRT, many of the studies completed to date have been observational in nature and, therefore, not as reliable as information that will be learned from Women's Health Initiative (WHI), a randomized, controlled, long-term clinical trial.
The physicians who designed WHI studied all the scientific data about breast cancer and HRT and took this information into consideration when planning this component of the study. As a result, study participants are as well protected as possible from any potential risk of breast cancer. They are regularly screened to detect any cancers at an early stage. In addition, potential study participants were thoroughly briefed on the potential risks and benefits of HRT so they could make an informed decision about joining the study. WHI will provide important information about whether HRT actually does (or does not) increase breast cancer risk.
Source: The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
