Is there a link between hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and breast cancer?
Although estrogen hormones play essential roles in both female and male physiology, they have also been associated wth an increased risk of certain cancers. Studies have shown that some types of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), particularly combined estrogen-plus-progestin therapy (a synthetic version of the female hormone progesterone), are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer.
The risks and benefits of HRT vary depending on the type of therapy, how long it will be used, and a person’s individual health history. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether HRT is right for you.
It is important to note that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat the symptoms of menopause is not the same as hormonal therapy used to treat breast cancer.
Source:
National Cancer Institute