Cancer
Hormone Replacement Therapy Causes Cancer
By Sue Mueller
Jul 30, 2005 - 11:43:00 PM

In a monograph published on July 29, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that estrogen-progestogen hormone replacement therapy (HRT), used by millions of women around the world, causes breast and endometrial cancers.

The conclusion was based on solid studies conducted over the last few years, which prompted the UN cancer agency to re-classify hormonal menopausal therapy from "possibly carcinogen to humans" to "carcinogenic to humans."

The agency also said that use of the combined estrogen-progestogen contraceptive pill increases the risk of breast, cervix and liver cancer. Previous studies have linked use of the pill to liver cancer in hepatitis B-endemic countries.

However, the BBC quoted agency official Vincent Cogliano as saying that "it's a complicated picture. It does not mean women should stop taking the treatment, there are still other reasons to take it."

Patients need to make an informed decision regarding the use of HRT or the combined contraceptive pill and get to know the benefits and the risks of the treatment or pill.

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