HRT Triples Risk Of Breast Cancer, Study Suggests | HuffPost Life

'It’s so important that women fully understand the risks.'

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Life Editor at HuffPost UK

Women who receive hormone replacement therapy (HRT) are around three times more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer than those who do not, new research suggests.

HRT is commonly used to help combat the effects of the menopause and is used by around one in 10 women during their 50s. There are two main types of the treatment: oestrogen-only and oestrogen plus progestogen.

The study found that those taking oestrogen plus progestogen HRT were 2.74 times more likely to develop breast cancer than the general population.

It also found that those who had been using the combined HRT for 15 or more years had a 3.27 times increased risk.

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The findings, by the Institute of Cancer Research and Breast Cancer Now, were taken from the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study - a major study following more than 100,000 women for 40 years to investigate the causes of breast cancer.

Experts analysed data over six years from almost 40,000 menopausal women - 775 of whom developed breast cancer.

While the researchers found women receiving the combined HRT had an increased risk of breast cancer, they noted that taking oestrogen-only HRT did not appear to increase the cancer risk.

What’s more, they stressed that once HRT use had ended the increased risk returned to normal levels.

“Our research shows that some previous studies are likely to have underestimated the risk of breast cancer with combined oestrogen-progestogen HRT,” study lead author Anthony Swerdlow, professor of epidemiology at The Institute of Cancer Research told PA.

“We found that current use of combined HRT increases the risk of breast cancer by up to threefold, depending on how long HRT has been used.

“Our findings provide further information to allow women to make informed decisions about the potential risks and benefits of HRT use.”

Baroness Delyth Morgan, chief executive at Breast Cancer Now, added: “Whether to use HRT is an entirely personal choice, which is why it’s so important that women fully understand the risks and benefits and discuss them with their GP. We hope these findings will help anyone considering the treatment to make an even more informed decision.

“On balance, some women will feel HRT to be a necessity. But in order to minimise the risk of breast cancer during treatment, it is recommended that the lowest effective dose is used for the shortest possible time.

“The good news is that the increased risk of breast cancer begins to fall once you stop using HRT.”

Breast Cancer Signs And Treatment

What Are The Symptoms?(01 of10)

"A new painless, firm breast lump with irregular margins is a potential symptom of breast cancer," says Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, a breast cancer researcher at the Mayo Clinic. "The cancer diagnosis is confirmed following a biopsy of the lump." She notes that usually, women who are newly diagnosed with breast cancer are healthy and don't feel sick at all. (credit:LarsZahnerPhotography via Getty Images)

Other Symptoms(02 of10)

Another potential symptom/sign of breast cancer, Pruthi notes, is a new onset of persistent redness on the skin overtop the breast with an orange peel appearance. This would also need a biopsy to confirm a diagnosis of breast cancer. (credit:Image Source via Getty Images)

Metastatic Cancer Symptoms(03 of10)

"If the cancer is very advanced (metastatic) then the symptoms may also include weight loss, bone pain, headaches, nausea and persistent cough," Pruthi says. (credit:pamela burley via Getty Images)

What Are The Risk Factors?(04 of10)

Some commonly associated risk factors, Pruthi says, are menstruation before age 11, menstruation after age 54, a first pregnancy after age 35 and a family history of relatives diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer. (credit:AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)

Are There Any Lifestyle Risk Factors?(05 of10)

"There is evidence in the literature that obesity after menopause, lack of regular exercise, consuming greater than more or more alcoholic beverages daily, and a high fat diet can all be associated with a higher breast cancer risk," Pruthi notes. But, she points out, "women need to know that any woman can get breast cancer even in the absence of any of these risk factors." (credit:Adrian Samson via Getty Images)

Can I Eat Anything To Prevent It?(06 of10)

There are no specific types of diets, Pruthi says, but rather women are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, fibre, and minimize their alcohol and fat intake, as well as get regular exercise. (credit:lola1960 via Getty Images)

How Do Doctors Determine Treatment?(07 of10)

"The most current treatment of breast cancer has taken on a individualized approach and is dependent on the biology or aggressive features of the breast cancer," Pruthi explains. "Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and this means that are many sub-types and different degrees of aggressiveness. So staging, which typically takes into account common prognostic features such as tumour size and if lymph nodes are involved, are no longer the only factors doctors use to determine treatment options." (credit:Christopher Futcher via Getty Images)

So What Do They Look At?(08 of10)

"Today the biology of the tumour is also characterized by molecular markers (also known as predictive markers) such as if the estrogen or progesterone receptor is positive or negative and if the HER 2 protein is positive or negative," she says. "This helps decide who will benefit from a specific chemotherapy regimen, hormonal medications known as antiestrogens or who may need both chemotherapy and hormonal treatment." (credit:BluePlanetEarth via Getty Images)

What About Preventative Mastectomies?(09 of10)

"Preventive mastectomy is an option for women at very high risk for developing breast cancer because they are BRCA 1 or 2 gene positive or if someone has hereditary predisposition to getting breast cancer but chooses not to have the genetic testing done," Pruthi says. "It is prudent that women who are considering this surgery know their family history in detail. Based on the moderate or strong family history, your doctor would recommend you meet with a genetic counselor to go over the family pedigree and help decide who should test for the breast cancer gene, when to test and how to interpret the genetic test results before proceeding with this preventive surgery." (credit:JesÃºs Jaime Mota via Getty Images)

Are Other Preventative Treatments Available?(10 of10)

"High risk women who have had precancerous breast biopsies or strong family history may also be eligible to take preventive medications such as tamoxifen, raloxifene or exemestane to reduce breast cancer risk," Pruthi adds. (credit:art-4-art via Getty Images)

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