Estrogen can stimulate the growth of existing breast cancer, and may promote a recurrence of the disease, according to some studies. However, many experts believe that estrogen replacement does not increase the risk of breast cancer in the short term, defined as up to 15 years by some. The long-term risk of greatest concern is breast cancer. At this point, it is believed that women who stay on HRT for more than 10 years have an increased risk of breast cancer. According to the most recent guidelines released, the National Cancer Institute recommends that women over 40 get a mammogram every one to two years.
Early detection is the key.
Mammograms are proven to detect cancer in 90 percent of all cases. Studies suggest that too much caffeine can cause the excretion of calcium, and that an alcohol intake of more than one ounce per day is correlated with increased risk of heart disease and can affect the liver's ability to metabolize estrogen properly. Some perimenopausal symptoms respond to hormone replacement, while others, such as stress and depression, can be related to working, raising teenage children or caring for elderly relatives. Women need to address these symptoms separately. Women who wonder whether or not to take estrogen during and after menopause are certainly not alone.