Many women are using (largely synthetic) Hormone Replacement Therapy to relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats even though it has been associated with an increased risk of stroke and breast cancer. If you are one of them then keep reading.
The results of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), a large study carried out over several years, showed several things. One of them was that women on combined estrogen/progestin hormone were (40%) less likely to get cancer of the colon.
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A new study carried out in Iowa, found that women between the ages of 55 and 69 years on combined HRT had a 28% less chance of developing colon cancer. This is good news for women that are already taking HRT. This isn’t a good enough reason to start HRT if you’re not on it already though.
Because of the risks associated with HRT, women are still advised to start it for severe menopause symptoms only if it’s absolutely necessary, to take the lowest dose possible to relieve symptoms, and to get off HRT as soon as possible.
The link between HRT and colon cancer may point the way for researchers to develop new therapies that may help to cure this disease.
If you’re going to go ahead and take the HRT, be sure and ask your health care provider if he or she thinks it’s wise to set up a colonoscopy in a year or so. For one, it’s a good way to keep tabs on your colon if in fact the HRT does carry a risk of colon CA. For another, it’s a great way to get a base line look at your colon for future referrals. The problem with colon cancer is that the colon does not have any feeling sensations, therefore there is no pain when cancer does occur. The only definitive way to determine whether or not cancer is occurring in the colorectal area is with a colonoscopy. Don’t take chances. Get it done. It’s NOT that bad.