Colorectal Cancer News

Hormone Replacement Therapy May Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

Menopausal women who participate in hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may have lower chances of colon cancer risk, according to findings of a recent study.

The study, based on observations of nearly 57,000 teachers in California, found that women who used HRT, as compared to women who never used HRT, were 36 percent less likely to develop colon cancer in the next 10 years. Statistically, 193 out of 34,433 HRT users and 151 out of 13,788 non-HRT users were reportedly diagnosed with colon cancer.

The study, which confirms an earlier theory that estrogen can help prevent colon cancer to some extent, noted that HRT can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, regardless of age, weight, race and exercise levels of women.

HRT use is not recommended as a preventative measure against colon cancer because it has been linked to greater health risks including heart attack, strokes, breast cancer and blood clots in menopausal women.

References:
Ramsey, Jason. Research says hormone replacement therapy can reduce risk of colon cancer. TOPNEWS. 2010 Feb 7.

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