Hormone therapy, or hormone replacement therapy (HRT), is taken by menopausal woman to help manage the symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness. As the levels of estrogen and progesterone fluctuate during menopause, there are many side effects as the body tries to adapt. HRT helps many women cope with these side effects.

How do synthetic hormones like those in HRT affect your breast cancer risk? There has been a lot of research in this area and conclusive findings have made a link between combined HRT and a moderate increase in breast cancer risk. The Women’s Health Initiative in 2001 found increases in not only the risk of breast cancer, but also heart disease and other health conditions in women taking combined HRT. In response to the findings, women’s use of combined HRT declined significantly. A 2010 Canadian study found that postmenopausal women who decreased their use of combined HRT also decreased their risk of breast cancer.

Is HRT right for you?
It all starts with knowing the facts. If you are considering HRT, be aware that the combined therapy is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and other serious health risks. Health Canada recommends HRT only in cases of severe menopausal symptoms.

To inform your decision about what is right for you, the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation encourages you to learn about the benefits and limitations of different types and dosages of HRT. We also encourage you to speak to a health care provider about HRT as well as alternative ways of coping with menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms.

I’m already taking HRT
Know that your risk of breast cancer is increased as long as you are taking HRT, and continues to increase the longer you use it. Once you stop, your risk will begin to decrease. Some research suggests that five years after stopping HRT, the risk of breast cancer may be much the same as women who have never used HRT.

Alternatives to HRT
Coping with the symptoms of menopause isn’t easy but there are alternative ways that may help to lessen the severity of your symptoms. These include complementary medications and lifestyle changes, like limiting your alcohol intake, not smoking, increasing your level of physical activity and eating a healthier, well-balanced diet.

Consider your options to make an informed decision about what is right for you.

Sources

Health Canada. Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy. Accessed July 31, 2011.

National Cancer Institute (US). Menopausal Hormone Replacement Therapy Use and Cancer. Accessed July 31, 2011.

Mayor. S. (2010). Incidence of breast cancer falls with less HRT use, Canadian study confirms. In British Medical Journal. BMJ 2010, 341: c5307. Accessed July 31, 2011.