According to a report in New England’s Journal of Medicine researchers in Both England and the United States have seen a correlation between the use of hormonal treatment, traditionally used for menopause, and the chances of getting breast cancer.
“New U.S. government numbers showed that breast cancer rates leveled off in 2004 after plunging in 2003 — the year after millions of women stopped taking hormones because a big study tied them to higher heart, stroke and breast cancer risks.”
“At the same time, a study of nearly 1 million women in the United Kingdom showed that those who took hormones after menopause were 20 percent more likely to develop ovarian cancer or die from it than women who never took the pills.”
The American Cancer Society recommends that all women over the age of 40 get an annual mammogram. All women should give themselves a Breast self exam and have a breast exam with their annual well woman visit.
“Women at high risk (greater than 20% lifetime risk) should get an MRI and a mammogram every year.” You can talk to your doctor about your medical history, and family medical history to determine your risk factors. An informed patient is always the best patient.
Source: Associated Press, Yahoo News
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