Description
The use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after a diagnosis of breast carcinoma remains controversial and was addressed
in this retrospective study by OMeara et al.1
The role of oestrogens in the development of breast cancer
is well recognised and several studies have shown that postmenopausal
patients who develop breast cancer have higher circulating
levels of oestrogens.2,3 The
use of HRT in the general population is associated with an
increased risk of developing breast cancer but the risk is
smaller than the risk associated with remaining pre-menopausal
and disappears soon after stopping treatment.4
Breast cancer observed to develop in HRT users appear to have
a better prognosis than non-users with improved survival prospects.5
Breast Cancer treatment itself can induce the menopause6,7
and its symptoms can adversely affect quality of life.8
