Hormones and endometrial cancer – UK study inconclusive 

Leading women’s health organisation, The Jean Hailes Foundation is closely monitoring the coverage of a controversial study from the UK relating to menopause and cancer risk. The Foundation is driven to offer accurate advice to Australian women regarding safe and healthy use of medications, particularly for those aged 35 to 65 years of age.

With this in mind, the Foundation’s Director of Research, Dr Helena Teede, has strongly endorsed the very comprehensive guidelines on hormone therapy (HT) provided by the NHMRC, and the positions held by the International Menopause Society and the Australian Menopause Society.

“Basically, we advise Australian women to use the lowest dose of hormone therapy for the shortest duration to relieve symptoms at the time of menopause,” Dr Teede said.

Dr Teede and her research collaborators at the Jean Hailes Foundation believe results from the UK Million Women Study need to be interpreted with caution as they could be misleading - and while interesting at a research level, “are not in any way definitive”. Dr Teede says the study is “observational” and not a clinical trial, limiting its usefulness. “It does not provide us with quality data on which to base clinical practice.”

Dr Teede was responding to the study published by The Lancet, which claims certain types of hormone-replacement therapy increase some women’s risk of womb cancer.

“The Jean Hailes Foundation strongly supports The Lancet’s editorial which calls for continued, careful use of HT to relieve symptoms while minimising risks,” Dr Teede said.

“There are no clinically-relevant answers coming out of this study, but important questions raised. Consequently, doctors should keep prescribing minimal doses of hormone therapy for the shortest possible times.”

The Monash Medical Centre, in collaboration with the Foundation’s research group, is actively involved in an international study to provide reliable information on the use of hormone therapy in post-menopausal women. Recruiting of women to take part is complete and results can be expected within the next couple of years. “It’s encouraging we have a definitive trial – with independent safety monitoring – which will give us vital, accurate data.”

Background
The Jean Hailes Foundation is Australia’s leading authority on the health and wellbeing of the 3.3 million Australian women aged between 35 and 65 years. The Foundation has a three-fold approach to the health and wellbeing of these women by providing:

meaningful, accessible information for the community and for health care professionals
specialised clinical practice, and
focussed medical research.
For more information or to arrange contact with Dr Teede
Telephone Janet Michelmore (Director, Jean Hailes Foundation)
0411 115 456

Page created April 29, 2005
Content updated April 29, 2005