‘Breast cancer is what would really put me off HRT. In fact, I don’t think I’d even consider taking it.’

‘My mother died of breast cancer, and my doctor said I shouldn’t take HRT, but I’ve been feeling so low lately, so tired, and with awful hot flushes, that right now I think I’d honestly rather take the risk of dying slightly sooner from breast cancer. At least I’d enjoy the years until then.’

‘I really don’t know what to think. I read about TV stars saying how young they feel on HRT, then I hear stories about breast cancer. Some of my friends have found it wonderful, others just didn’t get on with it.’

‘One minute you read about how wonderful HRT is, and the next there’s a breast cancer scare.’

‘Eleven out of 12 women don’t get breast cancer.’

Breast cancer is one of the most controversial aspects of hormone replacement therapy. Fear of the disease is the main reason why women don’t want to take it and why doctors are reluctant to prescribe it. No sooner had the risk of endometrial cancer in women taking HRT been largely overcome when up popped the spectre of breast cancer.

So what exactly are the risks? It is worth pointing out that breast cancer has been around since long before HRT and that approximately one woman in 12 will develop it whether she is on HRT or not. So there is always this risk in the background.

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