Renowned doctor urges women on hormone replacement to get breast screen

A renowned doctor has acknowledged a link between Hormone Replacement Treatment (HRT) and breast cancer, with the risk increasing after prolonged use. Doctor Kerryn Phelps urged women over 50 on HRT to get a breast cancer screen after a recent study from the United Kingdom found the risk of breast cancer was about triple for women using the treatment over a prolonged period. "The risk increases for the length of time the woman is on HRT and it reverts back to normal once she stopped HRT," Dr Phelps told A Current Affair host Tracy Grimshaw. She said it's important for women on HRT to have regular mammograms and is urging women to continue getting screened after seeing a dramatic drop in women getting examined during the COVID-19 pandemic. "One of the concerning things is that during this COVID epidemic we've seen a very significant drop in cancer screening and breast screening procedures have dropped by 37 per cent in March and April of this year," Dr Phelps said. "For all women over 50 having regular mammograms is an important part of the cancer screening protocols. "Certainly, if you're on HRT having a mammogram every year or two based on your doctor's advice is really very important." When asked whether the link between HRT use and breast cancer was still up for debate, Dr Phelps claimed evidence now makes the link certain. "I think now it's beyond doubt that increasing use of HRT and particularly higher doses is related to breast cancer risk." Dr Phelps added that while some women may need HRT to manage their menopause symptoms, they should try other means first. "Women are sometimes so disabled by their menopause symptoms that their HRT is the best first option for them. Certainly, if the simpler measures don't help. "We look at first of all what the symptoms are, we look at ways of mitigating those symptoms and if other measures don't work then we do have a discussion about the risks and benefits of HRT." "Herbal treatments, acupuncture, these things can help to mitigate the symptoms of menopause," she said. Dr Phelps said anyone using the treatment should not stay on the treatment for a prolonged period of time. "Of course, now we're much more certain about the increased risk with HRT and the advice that we give women now is that they take the smallest dose for the shortest effective time." "And in some cases that will be a year for some women, it will be two years for other women." "We try to ease them off the HRT within the five-year period but it's a bit of a case of how long's a piece of string." While the link between long term HRT use and breast cancer has been uncovered, Dr Phelps said other factors can still be a cause for cancer including lifestyle factors. "It's not the only risk, of course. For some women family history is a part of their risk profile," she said. "Lifestyle factors like excess alcohol or not exercising can increase their risk as well." She is urging all woman to continue their very important screenings and mammograms, regardless of the pandemic. "It's a timely reminder to all women that you don't let your cancer screening protocols go, that you make sure that you keep up with your regular visits with your doctor and your regular screening tests." source: 9now.nine.com.au