THE IMPACT OF CURRENT USE OF HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY ON PROGNOSTIC FACTORS AND SURGICAL-TREATMENT OF NEW BREAST CANCERS

When postmenopausal women were diagnosed with breast cancer while taki ng hormone replacement, no adverse effects were noted in either clinic al or prognostic factors when compared to a similar group not on hormo nes. Younger age at diagnosis and an increased chance of carcinoma in situ were noted in those on hormones. A surveillance or observational bias is one explanation for these findings. A promotional effect of ho rmone replacement therapy could not be eliminated based on this study.