MHT & Breast cancer

Unfortunately, breast cancer is a common type of cancer irrespective of MHT usage. Approximately 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime in Ireland if they live into their 80s, regardless of whether they take MHT or not. Risk factors associated with a higher risk of breast cancer than MHT include being overweight, obesity, and drinking a glass or more of wine per day.

• Understanding the Risks of Breast Cancer Factsheet

Yet, MHT is synonymous with breast cancer to lots of women following the media reporting of the American WHI (Women’s Health Initiative) studyin 2002 in which women who were largely older than that of the average woman going through the menopause were given an older synthetic version of MHT. This study is not representative of the usual cohort of women who take MHT.

Evidence from studies suggests a small increased risk of breast cancer with MHT use which increases with duration of use and reduces on stopping. This risk needs to be acknowledged but the overall benefits of MHT also need to be taken into consideration so that an individualised picture can be obtained. Women with an early menopause or premature ovarian insufficiency who take MHT up until the age of 50 are thought to be at no increased risk of breast cancer above their own genetic and environmental baseline risk.