The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued advice for prescribers of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), following the publication of new data in The Lancet.
The study reviewed 58 epidemiological studies worldwide. It found that five years of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT), starting at age 50 years, would increase breast cancer incidence from age 50 to 69 years by about one additional case in every 50 users of oestrogen plus daily progestogen MHT, one in every 70 users of oestrogen plus intermittent progestogen MHT, and one in every 200 users of oestrogen-only MHT. Furthermore, it showed that some excess risk persists for more than 10 years after ceasing MHT.
The MHRA is advising prescribers that women who use or are considering starting HRT should be made aware of the new information about breast cancer risk at their next routine appointment. Current and past HRT users should be advised to be vigilant for signs of breast cancer and prescribers should encourage patients to attend breast screening.
The regulator advises that HRT should only be prescribed to relieve post-menopausal symptoms that are adversely affecting quality of life, and should be used for the shortest time and at the lowest dose. Patients using HRT should be regularly review.
