HRT 'increases ovarian cancer risk'

Posted on March 23, 2015

Photo: flickr

The study focussed on women over 50 years old. Ovarian cancer is often difficult to diagnose as the symptoms are similar to irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions.The main symptoms include: increased abdominal size and persistent bloating (not bloating that comes and goes), persistent pelvic and abdominal pain, difficulty eating and feeling full quickly, or feeling nauseous ( NHS Choices). HRT drugs are used to alleviate the symptoms of the menopause, which can be so severe they interfere with day-to-day life.

In the UK, women take HRT mostly for between two and five years.There is an increased risk of breast cancer, which has been well documented. However, the drugs have also been found to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and bowel cancers. But the impact on ovarian cancer has been debated, particularly for those taking the drug for less than five years. Scientists behind the latest study, which looked at data from 52 separate studies including 21,500 women with ovarian cancer, say it proves there is a link. Prof Sir Richard Peto told the BBC News website: "It's a risk, about a million women in this country have HRT and 1,000 will get ovarian cancer from it."

There are other scientists who question the accuracy of the results. However, the UK's medicine's regulator said it advised using the lowest does for the shortest possible time.

For more information about the study, click the link


Category(s):Health / Illness / Medical Issues, Other

Source material from The Lancet