HORMONE-THERAPY IN THE MENOPAUSE AND BREAST-CANCER RISK - A REVIEW

Objectives: To evaluate the association between use of hormones in the menopause and breast cancer risk. Methods: A qualitative review of re ports published between 1970 and 1995. Results: The risk of breast can cer starts to increase after 5 or more years of hormone use and remain s elevated while taking hormones. Use for 10 or more years may be asso ciated with a 30-80 % increase in risk. From 2 to 5 years after stoppi ng taking hormones, the risk seems to return to unity. There is no dif ference in risk between different types of oestrogens and the addition of progestins does not lower the risk. Conclusions: Short term use (l ess than 5 years) seems safe with respect to breast cancer risk, while longer durations of use may be associated with a small, but significa nt increase in risk.