Question: Does Estrogen Replacement Therapy Increase Breast Cancer Risk?

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Answer: There are two answers to this question. For women who still have their uterus intact the answer is "Yes." However in women who have had a hysterectomy the answer is "No."

During the Women's Health Initiative - WHI Estrogen plus Progestin trial postmenopausal women who still had their uterus intact experienced a higher incidence of invasive breast cancer than women who took placebos. Unfortunately, these cases of breast cancer were also diagnosed at a more advanced stage than the women on placebos during the trial. health-website

On the other hand, women who participated in the WHI Estrogen-Alone trial and who had prior hysterectomy experienced a decrease in breast cancer diagnosis when compared to the placebo group.

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Does this mean that women with prior hysterectomy should use estrogen replacement therapy? Whether estrogen replacement is advised for women following hysterectomy is a personal decision that must be made on an individual basis. All women should weigh the pros and cons of estrogen replacement therapy before deciding whether or not to use estrogen for the relief of the symptoms of menopause. health-website

Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) April 12, 2006 "Effects of Conjugated Equine Estrogens on Breast Cancer and Mammography Screening in Postmenopausal Women With Hysterectomy" health-website.net

Published: 04/20/06 website