Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk for Breast Cancer: Clarifying the Specifics

New U.K. data show excess breast cancer risk with estrogen-progestin therapy similar to that in the Women's Health Initiative trial.

The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) randomized trials showed that estrogen-progestin therapy (EPT) increased risk for invasive breast cancer while estrogen therapy (ET) reduced risk. Now, using two U.K. primary care databases, investigators identified some 99,000 women with breast cancer diagnosed between 1998 and 2018 (age range, 50–79; mean age at diagnosis, 63; >95% white) and matched them with 457,000 controls. Analyses were adjusted for smoking, body-mass index (BMI), ethnicity, and mammography.

Ever-use of EPT had an adjusted odds ratio for breast cancer of 1.26 (95% confidence interval, 1.24–1.29), while ET had an aOR of 1.06 (95% CI, 1.03–1.10). In women aged 50–59 who used EPT for ≥5 years, 15 additional breast cancers were diagnose…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Grant/Research SupportMerck, Mithra, Medicines360

Editorial BoardsContraception; Menopause; Contraceptive Technology Update; OBG Management; Medscape OB/GYN & Women’s Health

Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Risk for Breast Cancer: Clarifying the Specifics

Topics

Reviewing Author