However, the authors suggest that there might be a small but substantial increase in statistical risk of developing breast cancer in the group of postmenopausal nurses currently receiving oestrogen or oestrogen-progestogen therapy, especially when the period of use exceeds 5 years and if the users are more than 60 years of age. They further state that the addition of a progestogen to the oestrogen therapy does not reduce the risk of breast cancer. On the other hand, a recent study by Stanford et al. This is strong evidence that adding progestogen to ERT reduces the risk of breast cancer. In women treated for breast cancer, HRT is widely considered unsuitable because of the fear that exposure to female sex hormones can increase the risk of cancer recurrence.
Progesterone also has a role to play in the management of breast cancer.
However, this extract of the rhizome Cimicifuga racemosa cannot prevent osteoporosis or reduce cardiovascular disease. Screening programmes can enable breast cancer to be detected at an early stage when adequate and effective treatment is possible. However, young women will continue to undergo premature menopause as a result of chemotherapy. In the developing world, detection by breast examination may lead to a reduction in the disease. The decision to use HRT to improve quality of life should be carefully considered by both the patient and the doctor.