Menopause Hormone Therapy Does Not Raise Breast Cancer Risk – SheKnows

“For approximately one-third of a woman’s life, she may experience menopause, a period often characterized by disruptive symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia, and mental health issues. Hormone therapy (HT) is the most effective way to alleviate these symptoms, although it became controversial in 2002 due to findings in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) study linking it to health risks for women, including an increased risk of breast cancer. However, recent research published in the journal Menopause suggests that menopause hormone therapy does not actually increase breast cancer risk. Despite its benefits, there is still a stigma around hormone therapy, and we spoke with OBGYN and menopause specialist, Corinne Menn, about these misconceptions and the benefits of hormone therapy. Studies have shown that hormone therapy has various health benefits, such as reducing breast cancer risk, improving skin health, protecting against osteoporosis, managing diabetes, and benefiting mood. The WHI study came under criticism for including primarily older and less healthy women, as findings have shown that the benefits of hormone therapy are most pronounced in women within ten years of entering menopause. Furthermore, despite initial reports, the data actually suggests that menopause hormone therapy does not increase the risk of breast cancer. Consequently, for the majority of women, the benefits of hormone therapy outweigh any risks, particularly when initiated early in menopause.”