So it's too early to suggest that women stop taking the drug prior to their mammograms. Understand that taking HRT may increase your breast density, which could interfere with the accuracy of your mammogram. However, HRT use has other benefits such as the prevention of bone loss. If you're considering using HRT, discuss the pros and cons and with your doctor. Don't stop taking HRT based on this study.
Mammograms are still the most effective way to detect breast cancer.
Women should continue to get have breast cancer screening as recommended by their doctor. While the study showed overall trends in the effect of HRT, there were also differences in individual women's response to the hormones. Rutter says she hopes this will stimulate basic research into why individual women respond differently to HRT, and whether these differences are related to breast cancer risk. The research was funded in part by the National Cancer Institute as part of its national Breast Cancer Surveillance Program. Through this program, Group Health's investigators work in collaboration with eight other institutions to find ways to improve breast cancer detection.