Raises risk
Menopausal hormone therapy
estrogen plus progestin, estrogen alone. Medical.
- Verdict
- Raises riskStudies link it to higher cancer risk.
- How sure
- Rung 4 · StrongAt least one large randomized trial, or very large consistent studies, on this exact question.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Breast
What the evidence shows
Combined estrogen plus progestin raises breast cancer risk, with the increase appearing within five years; risk falls back after stopping. Results for estrogen alone are mixed: the WHI trial saw lower risk, while other studies saw higher.
What to do
If you need it for symptoms, use the lowest effective dose for the shortest time, and review it with your doctor yearly.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer page.