BMJ  2003;327:888 (18 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7420.888

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Specialists clarify when the benefits of HRT outweigh the risks

London Susan Mayor

The benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may outweigh the risks if the woman has distressing menopausal symptoms or a premature menopause -- but no evidence exists to support a role for HRT in osteoporosis, heart disease, or Alzheimer's disease. This is the message of a consensus statement issued by a conference held in the United Kingdom this week.

The conference was convened by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh to clarify the use of HRT in clinical practice in response to growing concern about its safety. Results from several major trials published recently, including the million women study (16 August, p 359), have shown that certain types of HRT could double the risk of breast cancer over 10 years in some women.

David Purdie, director of the Edinburgh Osteoporosis Centre, Edinburgh, and chairman of the conference organising committee, said: "We believe that the guidance will . . . [Full text of this article]


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