3 ms·

Estrogen replacement increases the risk of cancer in women.

kridsdale1 2y ago
This is not accurate and is the result of a misinterpretation of the Women’s Health study of the 2000s. It’s much more complicated. The specific type of molecule matters.
- bsder 2y ago
  Citation. Breast cancer dropped with a step function when HRT was stopped in general for meopausal women. I haven't seen any studies to the contrary.
  - digdugdirk 2y ago
    Did a quick search and found this one: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/risk-of-breast-cancer-with-hrt-depends-therapy-type-and-duration/ https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/risk-of-breast-cancer-with... Could be worth a look? I didn't dive into the study itself, but it seems decent at a glance.
    - bsder 2y ago
      The studies all say that HRT increases the cancer risk, sometimes significantly. Yes, there are differences in type of HRT, but all of them create a signficantly elevated risk. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)14065-2/abstract https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)31709-X/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... Spreading incorrect information about this is bad as HRT is likely to be a difficult choice for a woman. HRT can help alleviate serious menopausal symptoms like depression or mental illness at the cost of an elevated cancer risk. Downplaying the risks is likely to cause a lot of women to make choices that they regret seriously later on.
Auracle 2y ago
There are various forms of HRT and not all cause an increase in cancer. It’s a shame that notion has stuck around when it could be so helpful for so many women: bone density, hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, etc. They do tend to cause an increase in blood clots though. The risk is manageable in relatively fit women. In overweight/sedentary women that gets a bit harder to balance out.
- wizzwizz4 2y ago
  > They do tend to cause an increase in blood clots though. That risk factor is specific to the oral route, and/or conjugated equine oestrogens. Injections, patches etc. of synthesised oestrogens don't seem to have that problem. https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k4810 https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k4810 > Transdermal preparations were not associated with risk of venous thromboembolism, which was consistent for different regimens Don't eat your HRT: rub it on your gums!

This is not accurate and is the result of a misinterpretation of the Women’s Health study of the 2000s. It’s much more complicated. The specific type of molecule matters.

bsder 2y ago
Citation. Breast cancer dropped with a step function when HRT was stopped in general for meopausal women. I haven't seen any studies to the contrary.
- digdugdirk 2y ago
  Did a quick search and found this one: https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/risk-of-breast-cancer-with-hrt-depends-therapy-type-and-duration/ https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/risk-of-breast-cancer-with... Could be worth a look? I didn't dive into the study itself, but it seems decent at a glance.
  - bsder 2y ago
    The studies all say that HRT increases the cancer risk, sometimes significantly. Yes, there are differences in type of HRT, but all of them create a signficantly elevated risk. https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(03)14065-2/abstract https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(19)31709-X/fulltext https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6... Spreading incorrect information about this is bad as HRT is likely to be a difficult choice for a woman. HRT can help alleviate serious menopausal symptoms like depression or mental illness at the cost of an elevated cancer risk. Downplaying the risks is likely to cause a lot of women to make choices that they regret seriously later on.

Auracle 2y ago

There are various forms of HRT and not all cause an increase in cancer. It’s a shame that notion has stuck around when it could be so helpful for so many women: bone density, hot flashes, vaginal atrophy, etc. They do tend to cause an increase in blood clots though. The risk is manageable in relatively fit women. In overweight/sedentary women that gets a bit harder to balance out.

wizzwizz4 2y ago
> They do tend to cause an increase in blood clots though. That risk factor is specific to the oral route, and/or conjugated equine oestrogens. Injections, patches etc. of synthesised oestrogens don't seem to have that problem. https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k4810 https://www.bmj.com/content/364/bmj.k4810 > Transdermal preparations were not associated with risk of venous thromboembolism, which was consistent for different regimens Don't eat your HRT: rub it on your gums!