Federal Study Reveals Hormone Treatment Doubles Risk of Breast Cancer

Startling evidence gathered from a federal study group for women, has revealed today, that women taking estrogen and progestin pills for just two years can double the risk of breast cancer. Evidence gathered is the direct result of years of study into links between various cancers and hormone therapy.

Studies where carried out recently by different groups, which included links to hormone therapy in men with prostate cancer. Although the studies into prostate cancer proved to find there are no direct links with hormone therapy, and prostate cancer. This was revealed in February 2008 by the National Cancer Institute. (N.C.I.)

Today's shock statement will no doubt shake women who take hormone replacement therapy. (H.R.T.) Which is likely to have dramatic overtures spinning from the medical world. The study concluded, that taking the pills for between two to five years can double the risks of breast cancer. Some good news that has stemmed from the study, in that for women who had stopped taking the treatment, the risks are dramatically reduced.

The studies were carried out at the University of California Los Angeles. (U.C.L.A.) where the study's leader Dr. Rowan Chlebowski, professor in residence of medicine, and chief of medical oncology, from Harbor UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles said: "It is clear that breast cancer rates plunged in recent years, mainly because millions of women quit hormone therapy, and fewer newly menopausal women started on it."

Dr. Rowan Chlebowski had also been involved previously in a study to find any benefits if taking vitamin 'D', and it's possible effect in reducing the risk of breast cancer. In which he related to the world that taking vitamin 'D' does not lower the risk of breast cancer.

Dr. Claudine Isaacs of Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center said. "It's an excellent message for women: You can still diminish risk by quitting the therapy. Even if you've been on hormones for a long time. It's not like smoking where you have to wait 10 or 15 years for the risk to come down."

This information is of obvious benefit to women who have been undecided, or confused about current treatment. For those who have been in the position of not knowing what to do, the evidence is now there to hand. The results where tabled at today's (Saturday 13th of December 2008) meeting at the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium. I have managed to track down the slides from the presentations of meetings held from 12/10/2008 that will end on 12/14/2008 so you can view them. A schedual of discussions can be found at www.sabcs.org/ProgramSchedule/index.asp.

Originally the study was developed in part to find out the effects of taking estrogen and progestin pills, from which doctors have believed for many years that taking the treatment would prevent heart disease, bone loss and other problems related to health matters in women. Then in 2002 there was a surprising u-turn, when these studies where dropped because research found that there was higher risks of heart problems and breast cancer in hormone treatment patients. The studies then turned to the research carried out on women in there 50's and 60's and the risks in taking hormone therapy, for the onset of the menopause. Although most of the the research information was gathered on women in there 60's by the federal study, and well past the menopause stage at the time.

The statement by Dr. Chlebowski of U.C.L.A. about the study went on to say. "So the advice has been to use hormones only if symptoms like hot flashes are severe, and at the lowest dose for shortest time possible. The new study sharpens that message. It does change the balance, as to start on treatment at all."

16,608 women who where from close age groups, medical factors and weight took part in the study. Where the study had taken groups and assigned at random, dummy pills (placebo) or Wyeth Pharmaceuticals' Prempro estrogen and progestin.

My opinion:

Without the amazing people that graduate into the medical world, we wouldn't have the cures we have today. Along with treatments and studies that help men, women and children all over the world. Without doubt mistakes are also made, I am more than happy to put my life in the hands of medical professionals. It is just a crying shame that medicines and treatment cost so much. We are lucky although to have the opportunity to get medical treatment for our illnesses and injuries. When so many around the world do not get that opportunity.

Sources: U.C.L.A., USA Today, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium, National Cancer Institute.