INTRODUCTION AND METHODS: The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal @entity1 are well known including control of vasomotor symptoms and long-term benefits on the cardiovascular, skeletal and central nervous systems. However, some studies have reported a link between long-term HRT use and @entity5 . This paper reviews some of the data related to HRT and major gynaecological @entity5 . RESULTS: Appropriate HRT regimens can reduce the risk of @entity1869 in non-hysterectomised @entity1 and can reduce the incidence of @entity14 . There is no consensus on a link between @entity43 , and the data relating to HRT and @entity0 presents differing risk analyses. However, it is generally accepted that HRT taken for 5 years or less does not increase the risk of @entity0 . When HRT is taken for 10 years or more, the relative risk of being diagnosed with @entity0 is 1.46. Individual risk must be weighed against the benefits offered by HRT, especially in terms of the long-term beneficial effects on the cardiovascular, skeletal and central nervous systems. Whilst one in 8-12 @entity1 may contract @entity0 in the western world, one in 3 @entity1 over 65 will have @entity65 and 30-50% of postmenopausal @entity1 will have @entity170 . CONCLUSION: Fear of @entity5 is one of the main reasons why @entity1 object to HRT. Physicians must be able to counteract this fear with fact, and counsel @entity1 on their individual risk, as well as putting any @entity5 risk into perspective with other long-term benefits.

HRT and XXXX risk: separating fact from fiction.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients'] @entity43 :: ('MESH:D010051', 'Disease') :: ['HRT and ovarian cancer'] @entity0 :: ('MESH:D001943', 'Disease') :: ['breast cancer'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['cancers', 'cancer'] @entity170 :: ('MESH:D010024', 'Disease') :: ['osteoporosis'] @entity14 :: ('MESH:D015179', 'Disease') :: ['colorectal cancer'] @entity1869 :: ('MESH:D004714', 'Disease') :: ['endometrial hyperplasia'] @entity65 :: ('MESH:D002318', 'Disease') :: ['cardiovascular disease']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['cancer']
