Breast cancer and hormone-replacement therapy in the Million Women Study

Published 8th August, 2003

Today [8.8.03] the Lancet is publishing a paper by Professor Valerie Beral et al revealing the first results from the Million Women study. The study confirms that current and recent use of HRT can increase a woman's chance of developing breast cancer.

The study, funded by Cancer Research UK, the NHS Breast Screening Programme and the Medical Research Council, also found that:

• Current users of HRT are at a 22 per cent relative increased risk of death from breast cancer compared with never-users
• The relative risk of breast cancer varied significantly among three HRT types and was substantially greater in users of oestrogen-progestogen combinations than other preparations.
• Use of HRT by women aged 50-64 years in the UK over the past decade has resulted in an estimated 20,000 extra breast cancers, of which 15,000 are likely to be associated with oestrogen-progestogen HRT

For further information please visit:

• Million Women Study