Estrogen Alone Therapy Does Not Raise Breast Cancer Risk

According to a new study by the Women's Health Initiative (WHI), therapy with just estrogen does not raise the risk of breat cancer for menopausal women. A study in 2002 into the estrogen plus progestin therapy had to be stopped when raised risks of breast cancer, blood clots, stroke and heart attack were found.

These new findings are good news for women on just estrogen therapy, say the researchers. It does not, however, help women on combined estrogen progestin therapy.

You can read about this study in JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), April 12 issue.

Estrogen therapy can be helpful for women with menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, vaginal dryness and lethargy.

(USA - Hot Flashes. UK/Ireland - Hot Flushes)

The Women's Health Initiative is a 15 year long study of diseases of older women. Results for hormone therapies have often been complicated.

Estrogen therapy alone can only be given to women who have had a hysterectomy. If a woman has a uterus she needs to take progestin to protect the uterus from the estrogen. If a woman who has uterus takes just estrogen she has a raised risk of developing uterine cancer.

The estrogen alone therapy still raises the risk of blood clots. Therefore it is recommended that a patient speak with a health care professional when comparing the benefits against the risks. Every women is different with different risk factors.

Women's Health Initiative (WHI)