Hormone replacement therapy and risk of breast cancer

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for up to 5 yea rs does not in crease the risk of breast cancer. Longer treatment periods lead to minimal increases in risk. Although the benefits of HRT are clear increases in breast cancer risks have to be discussed with the patients when long-term application of estrogen is performed. After primary therapy of breast cancer HRT ist contr aindicated. However, it may be performed in indivudual cases when alternati ves have been shown to be ineffective. This group of patients mainly suffer s from severe vasomotor symptoms. Nonhormonal alternatives are often withou t success.