Women using HRT more prone to lung cancer--study

The “Vitamins and Lifestyle Study” by the researchers from the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine looked at 36,588 pre-menopausal and post-menopausal women were administered the therapy which lasted for six continuous years.

By the end of the study, 344 women had developed severe lung cancer.

Major reasons suspected behind cancer formation
Genetic and environment interactions are the major factors in HRT which lead to cancer formation in patients, according to the study.

Also, the combination of estrogen and progestin is viewed as a potential suspect.

The possibility of smoking by HRT patients as a cause of cancer too cannot be eliminated without a deep study into the subject.

Usage of the hormones estrogen and progestin for more than 10 years further elevates the risk of fatal diseases including lung cancers by 60 percent; as claimed by the research team.

The risk, relatively higher in women in the age group of 50-60 years, is an alarm for doctors worldwide, with millions of patients at stake.

Findings useful
The findings can be further utilized to determine the minimum accepted doses and time periods of HRT, the researchers said.

"These findings may be useful in counseling women about their risk of developing lung cancer and prompt further research into the mechanisms underlying HRT and increased lung cancer risk," said Chris Slatore, principal investigator and an assistant professor of medicine in the Oregon Health & Science University School of Medicine , Portland Veterans Affairs Medical Center ; and a member of the OHSU Knight Cancer Institute .

Hormone replacement treatment
Hormone Replacement Treatment/Therapy, the only weapon against menopausal, peremenopausal and postmenopausal problems involves synthetically boosting hormone levels in women.

Estrogen, progesterone or progestins and testosterone, besides others are the common hormones administered to the patients through timely doses.

These hormones can be interjected in the form of patches, gels, tablets and creams, injection being the most rarely used medium.

HRT has since long been the best solution to almost all the menopausal problems like nightsweats, mood swings, hot flushes, and decreased libido.