| According to The HRT Solution by Marla Ahlgrimm, R.Ph., breast cancer is one of the largest concerns women have when considering hormone therapy (HT). Actually, it's the number one reason women decide against HT. This is unfortunate because in most of those instances, the quality of life for those women is compromised by the decision. While there is some evidence to suggest that HT plays a role in breast cancer, there is not a direct link where taking hormones equals getting breast cancer. There are many other culprits suspected of causing breast cancer in women, among them exposure to radiation, toxic chemicals, pollution, and viruses. All of these factors can cause the damage to DNA (the cells' genetic blueprint) that leads to cancer. Genetics is another factor. And, the average wowan's risk of either heart disease or osteoporosis--where HT plays such an important role in prevention--far exceeds her risk of developing breast cancer. In truth, even though the incidence of breast cancer is unacceptably high, most women do not develop it. Breast Cancer Risk Increases as Progesterone Decreases Statistics show that the incidence of breast cancer begins to go up when women enter their forties. This is about the same time that progesterone production begins to decline. During the previous twenty-five years of their lives--the years when most women are at their healthiest--they were producing proportionate amounts of both estrogen and progesterone each month. Once production of progesterone begins to drop off there is a rise in the rate not only of breast cancer but also of uterine cancer, endometrial hyperplasia (an abnormal increase in the cells of the lining of the uterus), uterine fibroids, and fibrocystic breasts. All of these problems can be attributed to uncontrolled cell proliferation--the king of cell growth that unopposed estrogen (that is, estrogen acting in the absence of the protective effects of progesterone) is most responsible for. A study published April 1995 in the Journal of Fertility and Sterility showed that natural progesterone inhibits estrogen's stimulation of normal breast epithelial cells. An earlier study at Johns Hopkins in 1981 showed that breast cancer was five times higher in women with low progesterone levels than in women with higher levels. Estrogen Plus Progesterone Therapy Ther is a great deal of data suggesting that estrogen replacement therapy can provide many different benefits to women as they age. And there is accululating evidence that now suggests that progesterone is helpful in preventing most of estrogen's potentially negative effects. This presents a strong case for using both hormones together in any type of hormone replacement program. Studies today show that by giving estrogen in combination with progesterone, the incidence of cancers is greatly reduced. As you can see it is not the hormones themselves increasing the risk of breast cancer, but taking overdoses of individual hormones that actually increases the risk. That is why it is so important for women to measure their hormone levels on an annual basis to make sure that they are on the right amounts. Low Dose May Be The Key There is now a great amount of scientific evidence that suggests even breast cancer patients may not have to give up the benefits of hormone replacement. The findings showed that there was no increase in the rate of breast cancer recurrence for those women who used HT. And these women tended to survive longer. In the past, healthcare providers believed that those women with breast cancer should not take HT because the hormones would stimulate tumor growth. But it has been found that it was not the estrogen replacement causing the increased risk, but the way it was given - estrogens (synthetic) used to be given alone and without the balance of progesterone. Many times the estrogen given was given in doses that were much too high as well. Of course, no one should make general statements about cancer. Every woman is an individual, and her life and her body are unique. Whether a woman is at high risk for breast cancer or a breast cancer survivor, she should consider HT as something only she can decide, after consulting with her doctor. Your call to action: - Assess your actual risk vs. fear
- Continue to educate yourself and ask for clarification
- Have your hormone levels measured
- Understand your hormone options - synthetic vs. natural
Through our state of the art saliva test kits which can be ordered by your healthcare provider, your hormone levels can be measured to tell you more about the balance of estrogen and progesterone in your body. If you are currently on HRT and it has been more than a year since you have had your hormone levels checked, or if you never have had them checked, we strongly urge you to test your levels at this time. Our Restore Program is available to anyone interested in HRT. We will work with you and your physician to acurately measure your Estradiol, Progesterone, and Testosterone levels and share information on new HT options or adjusting your current HT. | 
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