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Monday, February 16, 2004Susan Johnson, a gynaecologist who took part in the Women's Health Initiative trial in the US, told the American Association for the Advancement of Science in Seattle that HRT was still the best treatment for most women. Professor Johnson said: "There are many women for whom HRT continues to be an excellent choice for the treatment of menopause-related symptoms. In my clinical practice I'm putting a lot of women back on HRT." The study, you will remember, found a 0.08% increase in breast cancer, a 0.07% increase in cornary artery disease, and a 0.08% incraease in strokes in women who used hormone replacement therapy for five years. At the time of its release, its lead author was saying things like this: "Considering that millions of American women might consider taking estrogen plus progestin . . . that could translate into tens of thousands of cases of breast cancer or cardiovascular disease over several years," said Jacques Rossouw, acting director of the WHI. ...Several said women who take the two hormones to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause should use the treatment as briefly as possible, and those wishing to prevent osteoporosis should probably choose alternatives to hormones. The study found that breast cancer risk did not rise significantly until the fourth year of treatment, but that women's risk of heart attacks and blood clots increased as soon as they began taking hormones. 'There's really no safe period,' Rossouw said. Which has led to things like this. Lately, more of my patients have opted to suffer their hot flashes and forego hormone replacement therapy, even though I've gone over the data with them. All of them have cited ads they've seen from law firms: "If you've taken Prempro and have had a stroke, breast cancer, or heart attack, call this number!" They figure the drugs must be more dangerous than the data suggest if people are suing the manufacturer. And I have to admit, it makes me more than a little nervous about prescribing them. We truly do live under a tyranny of lawyers. posted by Sydney on 2/16/2004 07:42:00 AM 0 comments 0 Comments: |
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