Re: Fw: Rise in Breast Cancers Halts Swedish HRT Study

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Wow, better save this article so I don't take this stuff! ~*Patty*~ <redeemed7@...> wrote:

----- Original Message ----- From: "ilena rose" <ilena2000@...><golight@...>Sent: Tuesday, February 03, 2004 7:33 AMSubject: Rise in Breast Cancers Halts Swedish HRT Study > Rise in Breast Cancers Halts Swedish HRT Study> > http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=healthNews & storyID=4266999> > Mon February 2, 2004 08:18 PM ET> > By Reaney> LONDON (Reuters) - Swedish researchers stopped a study examining the> impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women with a history of> breast cancer because of an unacceptably high risk of recurrence of> the disease.> > The study, originally planned for five years, was halted after

only> two because more than three times as many women taking HRT had a> recurrence or new breast tumor compared to women who received other> treatments to relieve symptoms of the menopause.> > "We thought we found an unacceptably high risk for a new breast cancer> event in women taking HRT," said lead investigator Lars Holmberg, of> the University of Uppsala in Sweden.> > "Patient safety must be first. We felt the risk was too high," he> added.> > After two years of follow-up, 26 women in the group allocated to> receive HRT had a recurrence or new cancer, compared to seven in the> other group not on hormone treatment.> > More than 345 women who had had breast cancer took part in the study.> They were randomized to receive either HRT or a non- hormonal> treatments.> > "Women on active treatment have been advised to discontinue," said>

Holmberg, whose findings were published online by The Lancet.> > Millions of women have used HRT to relieve hot flushes, mood swings> and sexual problems linked to the menopause and to stave off> osteoporosis, or brittle bone disease.> > The Swedish decision followed moves by American and British scientists> who also stopped HRT trials after learning HRT may increase the risk> of breast cancer, stroke and blood clots.> > An analysis of four major studies into the effects of HRT by> scientists at the British charity Cancer Research UK supported the> U.S. findings.> > The review showed that women who took the treatment for five years had> a higher risk of breast cancer, stroke and blood clots in the lung but> were less likely to suffer from bowel cancer or hip fractures.> > _________________________________________________________________> Get a FREE

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