HRT 'can cut risk of breast cancer for at-risk women'

by Paul Conneally | October 1, 2008 at 04:30 pm

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HRT treatment can cut the risk of breast cancer for 'at risk' women a new study from Toronto University reports. the use of HRT has been a controvesial issue with some studies claiming that it actually increased the risk of cancer. This latest study seems to indicate a direct link between lowering the incidence of breast cancer amongst at risk women with the use of HRT.

In the past doctors have not prescribed the drugs to women genetically predisposed to the cancer, for fear it could increase their risk.

But new research suggests that the treatment could actually significantly lower the chance of developing the disease.

Two known genes mutations, BRCA1 and BRCA2, can greatly increase the chance of developing breast cancer.

Some women who have been identified as carriers have opted to have their breasts removed as a precautionary measure.

HRT has traditionally been considered dangerous for these women because it contains oestrogen, which can fuel the growth of some cancer tumours.

The new study, published online in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, shows that post-menopausal women with the BRCA1 gene who took HRT had 42 per cent less chance of developing the disease than those who did not.