Menopause news

Million Women Study and endometrial cancer

29 April 2005

This further report from the Million Women study, looking at the risk of developing
endometrial cancer with various HRT regimens states that women with an intact
uterus taking oestrogen only have an increased risk of endometrial cancer,
no effect is seen with oestrogen and cyclical progestogen and there is a decreased
risk with continuous combined oestrogen and progestogen. It has been known
for many years that unopposed oestrogen increases the risk of endometrial cancer
and that the addition of progestogen protects against this risk. What is of
surprise is that it is stated that the use of tibolone also confers an increased
risk of endometrial cancer. The Million Women study has been previously criticised
because of apparent flaws in its design and therefore this further information
should not cause immediate changes in use of HRT. A larger study of tibolone
is currently underway and its use should not be altered unless indicated by
the results of this study. Recommendations are currently in place for assessment
of women who have bleeding problems on HRT and these should continue to be
followed.

A full statement from the British Menopause Society and further information
from the Million Women Study is available here.
Also published in The Lancet, available here.

< Go Back

<< News Index