A message to Australian women concerned by a recent UK study connecting hormone therapy with endometrial cancer
The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health is closely monitoring the coverage of a controversial study1 from the UK relating to menopause and cancer risk.
Here at the Foundation, we are always reading and analysing information from medical researchers around the world. We are driven to offer accurate and reassuring advice to you regarding safe and healthy use of medications.
With this in mind, the Foundation’s Director of Research, Dr Helena Teede, has questioned the quality of a new report from the UK, connecting hormone therapy with womb cancer in some women.
Dr Teede has strongly endorsed the very comprehensive guidelines on hormone therapy (HT) provided by the Federal Government’s independent medical advisory body, the NHMRC.
“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. "Doctors should continue prescribing minimal doses of hormone therapy for the shortest possible times."
Dr Teede and her research collaborators at the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health 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 was responding to the study published by a medical journal, The Lancet, which claims certain types of hormone-replacement therapy increase some women’s risk of womb cancer.
“The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health strongly supports The Lancet’s editorial which calls for continued, careful use of HT to relieve symptoms while minimising risks,” Dr Teede said.
If you are still worried, the Foundation suggests you visit your doctor and discuss your concerns.
Reference
1.Endometrial cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study,
The Lancet, Vol 365, April 30, 2005. pp 1543-51
(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15866308)
Content updated April 29, 2005
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