Does hormone replacement therapy increase my risk of breast cancer?
Menopause, once considered a taboo topic, is finally gaining more attention in mainstream media. As more people openly discuss their experiences with menopause, it’s crucial to understand the role of a common treatment: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
While HRT might increase the risk of breast cancer—especially with long-term use—the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks for many people. Here’s what you should know:
What is hormone replacement therapy (HRT)?
HRT is a treatment for women and people assigned female at birth that replaces estrogen and progesterone, the hormones that gradually decrease during menopause. This transition typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. As this change occurs, people may experience the following symptoms:
- Menstrual/period changes (time between periods and/or a change in flow)
- Hot flashes (a sudden feeling of warmth in the face, neck or chest, sometimes accompanied by sweating)
- Night sweats, which could contribute to sleep problems and feeling tired or stressed
- Vaginal dryness or pain during sex
- Weakening of the bones (also known as osteoporosis), which could lead to loss of height and bone breaks.
To reduce or treat symptoms, some people choose to take hormone medicines like HRT as their body approaches menopause (also known as perimenopause), during menopause, or after menopause. You are considered to have reached menopause when there has been an absence of menstrual periods for 12 consecutive months.
Does hormone replacement therapy increase cancer risk?
Some studies show using HRT with estrogen and progesterone for more than 10 years might put you at increased risk for breast cancer. It’s best to take HRT only for as long as it’s needed or until menopausal symptoms finish.
For women and people assigned female at birth, estrogen therapy alone can increase your risk of endometrial cancer. However, estrogen coupled with progestogen (also known as progestin) lowers this risk.1 Providers will likely prescribe them hand in hand.
Regardless of whether you use HRT, it’s important to stay up to date on فحوصات السرطان الروتينية like annual mammograms to prevent breast cancer or detect it early, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
How do I know if hormone replacement therapy is right for me?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that women use HRT at the lowest dose that helps for the shortest time needed to help with menopause symptoms.2 If you are experiencing menopause symptoms, talk with your health care provider about HRT and discuss whether the benefits outweigh the risks.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), some studies indicate that women who have had breast cancer in the past may be advised not to use HRT as it could increase the risk of breast cancer recurrence. Other studies, however, do not show an increased risk for breast cancer survivors as compared to the general population. If you have had or currently have breast cancer and are considering HRT, be sure to share your medical history with your health care provider and talk about what’s recommended for you.
Are there any alternatives to hormone replacement therapy that I should consider to treat my menopause symptoms?
There are some FDA-approved non-hormonal medicine options available to treat menopause symptoms.1 Talk with your health care provider if you are experiencing menopause symptoms to determine what your options are.
You should also check with your health care provider before using any “natural” products that are not FDA-approved to treat menopause symptoms. Lifestyle changes, like eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, may help manage symptoms.3
To date, research indicates HRT is a safe and effective option, and it may be the best solution for you. By weighing the pros and cons of HRT with your health care provider, you can create a strategy to establish and sustain a healthy lifestyle during and after menopause. And that’s something to talk about!
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1Menopausal hormone therapy and cancer. (2023, September 25). Cancer.gov. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/mht-fact-sheet
2Office of the Commissioner. (2023, December 14). Menopause. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/womens-health-topics/menopause
3Menopause – Diagnosis and treatment – Mayo Clinic. (n.d.). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353401