The authors checked 24 relevant studies and found there was no good evidence that estrogen replacement therapy spreads breast cancer. Doctors do not know whether estrogen increases risk of recurrence in women who have had these cancers. Taking estrogen after the menopause helps to prevent heart attacks, strokes, osteoporosis, vaginal dryness, hot flushes, depression, mental deterioration and loss of teeth. A study from Saskatchewan shows that the combination of estrogen with progesterone does not increase a woman's chances of developing breast cancer. Animal studies show that taking the anti-estrogen, tamoxifen, with estrogen does not increase cancer risk.
Extensive trials are underway now to see if the same applies to humans.
If they confirm these recent studies, women who have apparently been cured of breast or uterine cancer may be able to take estrogen safely. I'm Dr. Gabe Mirkin on Fitness. JA Chapman, PJ Disaia, K Osann, PD Roth, DL Gillotte, ML Berman. Estrogen replacement in surgical stage I and II endometrial cancer survivors. Dr. Mirkin's opinions and the references cited are for information only, and are not intended to diagnose or prescribe.