HRT Does Not Affect Breast Cancer Detection

Palpation, Mammography Effective On HRT Patients

Score one for hormone replacement therapy.

According to a new study, taking hormone replacement therapy does not diminish the ability to detect breast cancers or affect clinical outcomes for patients with breast cancer.

Researchers from the Oregon Health and Sciences University in Portland looked at the records of almost 300 breast cancer patients to determine whether taking HRT was associated with the detection of breast cancer using both palpation -- feeling for lumps -- and mammography, as well as the clinical outcome of patients.

Their findings are published in the September issue of The Archives of Surgery.

Some previous studies have indicated that taking HRT can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. Because the therapy increases the density of breast tissue, researchers believe that breast cancers may be harder to detect in patients taking HRT, and that their tumors may be in more advanced stages when detected.

The researchers studied the records of 292 postmenopausal patients diagnosed with breast cancer at Oregon Health and Science University between March 1994 and January 2002. Of these, 144 women had received HRT at the time of diagnosis and 148 women had not.

The researchers found that 84 HRT users' cancers were detected by mammography and 60 were detected by palpation. Among nonusers, 63 cancers were detected by mammography and 85 were detected by palpation.

There were no significant differences in tumor size or number of positive nodes between the two groups. The six-year survival rate for patients with mammographically detected tumors was 94 percent, compared with 78 percent whose tumors were detected by palpation.

"In this study, HRT had only beneficial and no discernable harmful effects on breast cancer detection or outcome," the researchers wrote.

Previous Stories:

• August 20, 2002: Hormone Replacement Therapy Risky For Men
• August 8, 2002: 'Mind Over Menopause' Offers HRT Alternative
• August 2, 2002: HRT May Prevent Endometrial Cancer
• July 30, 2002: Herbs May Not Be Answer To Menopause
• July 22, 2002: Women: Know Your Hormone Alternatives
• July 9, 2002: Nationwide Hormone Replacement Study Halted
• July 2, 2002: Hormone Therapy Doesn't Protect Heart
• June 24, 2002: Study: Estrogen May Prevent Tooth Loss
• May 23, 2002: Estrogen May Lower Alzheimer's Risk
• November 12, 2001: Lower Estrogen Doses May Reduce Risks

Copyright 2002 by KSAT.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.