Note: Hormone therapy (HT) may also be referred to as hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
Comment from Professor Henry Burger*
Another report was published in The Lancet on April 19, 2007 from the Million Women Study (MWS), a UK national study of women's health, involving around one million women aged 50 and over.1 The main focus of the study relates to the effects of hormone therapy use (also know as hormone replacement therapy). This latest report addresses ovarian cancer and hormone therapy.
The study found that women who used hormone therapy for more than five years are at an increased risk of ovarian cancer.
However, this report on a very large group of women in the Million Women Study confirms previous data that there is a small increase in ovarian cancer in women taking hormone replacement therapy for more than five years but it is in the rare category of 1 in 10,000 cases per year.
The risk returns to baseline within five years of stopping hormone replacement therapy.
More information about the Million Women Study and expert comment from the Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health is available at The Million Women Study.
Reference
1. Ovarian cancer and hormone replacement therapy in the Million Women Study. The Lancet published online April 19, 2007 DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)60534-0.
Professor Henry Burger AO, MD, FRACP, FCP, FRCP(London), FRCOG, FRANZCOG, FAA
Founding Board Member, The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Chairman, Research Committee, The Jean Hailes Foundation for Women's Health
Emeritus Director, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research
Past President, International Menopause Society
Past President, Australasian Menopause Society
Content updated May 07, 2008
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