Answers to Your Questions on Breast Cancer and Hormone Therapy
Dec. 15, 2006 — -- Thank you for the strong interest in participating in this Q&A with Dr. Clifford A. Hudis, the chief of breast cancer medicine service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Here are his responses to a selection of your questions from the "World News" message board. To watch his interview on "World News" about the new study regarding falling breast cancer rates with respect to hormone replacement therapy, click here.
Question: The news article referred to "long-term HRT." Please define "long-term" and tell me what other factors are involved in becoming a high risk for breast cancer if you are on HRT. Also, what are some alternatives to conventional HRT (Premarin, estratest, prempro, etc.) to relieve postmenopausal symptoms like night sweats, weight gain and hot flashes? -- mrspiz
Hudis: "Long-term" usually refers to more than a few months -- one or more years of therapy. Other risk factors include increasing age, weight, and family history.
As for alternatives to HRT, for each specific symptom there are tested options. Some work better than others and the right choice can only be made after consultation with your health care provider.
Question: I went through a natural menopause at the age of 40 and I am now 62. I stopped my HRT approximately four weeks ago. I am also a smoker. Is it too late for me? --carmarsm
Hudis: No, it is never too late. The presentation suggests that the risk of breast cancer falls quickly after you stop hormone replacement therapy. On the other hand, smoking is a huge risk for lung cancer and you should quit now!
Question: What about taking natural supplements like black cohash? Does that cause breast cancer? My mother died of breast cancer at age 45. -- mikesam50
Hudis: Alternative treatments are incompletely studied and we do not have the tremendous body of carefully conducted scientific studies needed to recommend their use.
Question: I am 58 years old and have been taking HRT for over 5 years. Without it I have frequent nocturnal hot flashes and cannot sleep. I have tried taking less, for example every other day, but the symptoms continue. With this new information what do I do? I have talked with my doctor but he assures me I should not worry. Thank you.
Related Stories
ABC News Live