Hormone replacement therapy's effect on breast cancer risk

Doctors now have more information about hormone replacement therapy and if it affects a woman's risk for breast cancer.

This is an update to an on-going study.

In 2002, researchers found that taking estrogen and progestin increased a woman's risk for breast cancer.

They kept following these women and 13 years later, results again show that combination increases the risk but it did drop for about three years after the treatment was stopped.

Still, a slightly higher risk remains overall for these women.

"Progestin, which protects the uterus, does increase the risk for breast cancer diagnosis to some small degree, but overall death rates are still lower," said Dr. Holly Thacker.

But for women taking estrogen only, the risk for breast cancer went down and stayed lower for several years.

The study doesn't show that the hormones cause breast cancer.

Also, everyone is different - that's why it's best to talk to your healthcare provider about what's best for you.