Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer

Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer

“In women with a low underlying risk of breast cancer
(i.e. most of the population), the symptomatic benefits
of HRT use for up to five years will exceed potential harm”.1

Umbrella

What may the Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Breast Cancer
  • Cancer of the Breast
  • Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  • Hormone Therapy (HT)
  • Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT)

Date

Can it be important to be clear about the date of hormone therapy (HT) information?

It can be important to be clear about the date of all information including the date of HT information, because this information may have been updated.

Symptoms or Chronic Conditions

Can it be important to be clear about whether HT information is for the management of menopausal symptoms or the prevention of chronic conditions?

It can be important to be clear about whether HT information is for the management of menopausal symptoms such as hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness or for the prevention of chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis.

Systemic Type

Can it be important to be clear about the systemic type of HT?

It can be important to be clear about whether the HT is for those who have a uterus and need combined HT compared to those who do not have a uterus and need estrogen alone HT.

Uterus

If a woman has a uterus and chooses to use estrogen plus progestogen therapy, what is her breast cancer risk?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use:Potential Risks, published February 2025, according to the Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society):

“Hormone therapy (combined estrogen and progestogen) might slightly increase your risk of breast cancer if used for more than 4 to 5 year”.2

No Uterus

If a woman does not have a uterus and chooses to use estrogen therapy, what is her breast cancer risk?

On page one in Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks the Menopause Society also note:

“Using estrogen alone (for women without a uterus) does not appear to carry the same risk”.3

Vaginal Oestrogen

Can it be important to be clear about whether HT information is for the use of vaginal estrogen?

It can be important to be clear about whether HT information is for the use of vaginal estrogen.

Breast Cancer History

Can it be important to be clear about whether HT information is for those who have no history of breast cancer and or for those who have a history of breast cancer ?

It can be important to be clear about whether HT information is for those who have no history of breast cancer or for those who have a history of breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Risk

What is currently known about breast cancer risk and HT?

In Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? updated on 15 November 2025, the (United States) Breastcancer.org explain:

“HRT is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms. But some types of HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer in people with specific risk factors”.4 

On page six of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 4. Why Is MHT Important? What Are the Risks? the International Menopause Society’s (IMS) Leaflet for Women for World Menopause Day 2024, the IMS elaborate on:

“While MHT offers many benefits, there are some small risks:

  • Breast cancer: There is a slight increase in risk, especially with long-term use…

It’s important to have a personalized discussion with your healthcare professional to understand how these risks apply to you”.5

On page one in Fast Facts: HRT and Breast Cancer Risk, published September 2025, the British Menopause Society include:

“HRT and the risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer

  • In women with a low underlying risk of breast cancer (i.e. most of the population), the symptomatic benefits of HRT use for up to five years will exceed potential harm
  • Where risk with HRT is estimated to be elevated, the degree conferred is considered small
  • Most women will not be diagnosed with breast cancer as a result of their exposure to HRT”.6

Breast Cancer Screening

If a woman chooses to use HT, what is important about breast cancer screening?

In Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks – Breast Cancer the (United Kingdom) NHS note:

“It’s especially important to attend all your breast screening (mammogram) appointments if you’re taking HRT”.7

Breast Cancer History

Is HT not recommended for those with a history of breast cancer?

In The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Considerations for All Women At Menopause, published online 30 October 2023, the authors note:

  • “Breast cancer is a contraindication to the use of MHT”.8

In Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? updated 15 November 2025, Breastcancer.org explain:

“But if you have a history of breast cancer, decisions about whether to take certain types of HRT may be more fraught because they could increase your risk of breast cancer coming back (recurring).

“Having a detailed conversation with your doctors is important because the risks and benefits are going to vary tremendously from person to person depending on their health, risk for various diseases, menopausal symptoms, and the type of HRT they’re considering taking,” says Carol Fabian, MD, a breast medical oncologist and researcher who studies ways of addressing menopausal symptoms. Fabian is also director of the Breast Cancer Prevention and Survivorship Research Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, KS”.9

Questions To Ask

What questions may you want to ask about HT and your breast cancer risk?

In Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? What This May Mean for You Breastcancer.org explain:

“Some questions you may want to ask:

  • What is my personal risk of breast, ovarian, endometrial, and other types of cancer? How will this risk be affected by HRT?
  • What is my personal risk of other conditions that HRT can affect, such as heart disease and stroke?
  • Which type(s) of HRT, if any, would you recommend for me?
  • Would vaginal estrogen be a good option for me?
  • What other options are there — including non-hormonal medicines, complementary therapies, and lifestyle changes — to treat menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis?”10

Follow-Up

If I choose to use HT how can I follow up?

The (United States) Mayo Clinic note:

  • “Get regular follow-up care. See your healthcare professional regularly to make sure the benefits of menopause hormone therapy continue to outweigh the risks. You also should continue to have regular screenings, such as mammograms, blood pressure measurement and cervical cancer screening”.11

Health Care Provider

Hormone Therapy and Breast CancerIf I choose to use HT what should I do ?

On page three of Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 1. Who Is MHT For? Women With Existing Medical Conditions the IMS explain:

“Women with certain medical histories such as breast cancer and blood clots should talk to their healthcare professional about whether MHT is safe for them. Deciding to use MHT is a personal choice and should involve discussions about the benefits and risks with a healthcare professional who knows your health history”.12

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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U.S. Menopausal Hormone Therapy Labeling To Be Updated, November 2025

New or Updated

  1. Askearlymenopause.org [Ask EM] [+ Video: What Is Early Menopause?]
  2. Hormone Therapy and Breast CancerBMS TV: HRT and Breast Cancer: Overall Risks and Benefits
  3. Bioidentical Hormones: Are They Safer?
  4. Breast Cancer
  5. Breast Cancer Risk Factors
  6. Breast Cancer: Risk Factors
  7. Breastcancer.org
  8. Breastcancernow.org
  9. Cancer Diagnosis: 11 Tips for Coping
  10. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) for Menopausal Symptoms
  11. Complementary & Alternative Therapies: Non-Hormonal Treatments for Menopause Symptoms
  12. Complementary Medicines and Therapies for Hot Flushes
  13. Complementary Medicines and Therapies: Options for Menopausal Symptoms
  14. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2023 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Lifestyle Modification and Prevention of Breast Cancer
  15. Consumer Video and Podcast Series: 2024 Consumer Videos and Podcasts – Preparing for Your Menopause Health Care Visit
  16. Deciding About Hormone Therapy
  17. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use
  18. Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk?
  19. Emerging Research In the Management of Menopausal Symptoms
  20. Emotional Wellness In Menopause
  21. Endometrial Safety of Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogens
  22. Endometrial Safety of Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogens [Video]
  23. Estrogen Dependent Cancers
  24. Estrogen Therapy and Breast Cancer In Randomized Clinical Trials: A Narrative Review
  25. Evolving Approaches To Vasomotor Symptoms in Menopause: Novel Pathways and Emerging Therapies
  26. Experts Reassess Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer [+ Video]
  27. Fast Facts: HRT and Breast Cancer Risk
  28. Find A Menopause Practitioner [United States and Other]
  29. Find A Practitioner [Australasian Menopause Society i.e. Australia and New Zealand]
  30. Find Your Nearest BMS Menopause Specialist [British Menopause Society]
  31. Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause
  32. HRT & Menopause Extra [Video]
  33. HRT Questions Answered
  34. HRT Types and Doses | Dr Louise Newson
  35. HRT, Breast Cancer and the Real Risks of Not Taking Hormones [06 April 2026]
  36. HRT, Misinformation and Navigating the Menopause Media Minefield With Kaye Adams
  37. HRT: Benefits and Risks
  38. HRT: How To Find the Right Dose & Type | Dr Louise Newson
  39. HRT: The History
  40. Hormone Replacement Therapy
  41. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  42. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits and Risks of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  43. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Types of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
  44. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You?
  45. Hot Flashes
  46. Hot Flashes
  47. Hot Flashes: What Can I Do? [+ Video: What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Menopause?]
  48. How Mindfulness Meditation Improves Mental Health
  49. How To Find Relief for Hot Flashes At Night
  50. How To Prevent Cancer: 6 Ways To Lower Your Risk
  51. Joint Position Statement By the British Menopause Society, Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and Society for Endocrinology on Best Practice Recommendations for the Care of Women Experiencing the Menopause
  52. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) [+ Video: Is HRT Bad for You?] [Other Languages and Formats]
  53. Lubricant Alternatives: What To Use and What To Avoid
  54. Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer Risk: Individualization Is the Key To Safety
  55. Menopausal Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients: What Is the Current Evidence?
  56. Menopausal Hormone Treatment and Breast Cancer
  57. Menopause
  58. Menopause Care After Breast Cancer | Dr Louise Newson
  59. Menopause Map: Downloadable Resources – My Personal Path Print Tools: Questions for Your Health Care Provider
    Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer
  60. Menopause Treatment Options After Cancer [Video]
  61. Menopause and Breast Cancer [Video]
  62. Menopause and HRT: Fact and Fiction
  63. Menopause, Perimenopause, Hormone Therapy and Other Treatments With Madelyn Butler, MD [Podcast]
  64. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]
  65. Menopause: Identification and Management [NICE Guideline]Hormone Therapy
  66. Menopause: Things You Can Do
  67. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Cancer and Complementary Health Approaches: What You Need To Know
  68. Navigating Menopause Care Resource Guide
  69. Online Events [International Menopause Society]: Past Webinars – 2025: Lifestyle Medicine
  70. Pros and Cons of HRT Patches
  71. Reassessing Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer [+ Video]
  72. Relationship Between Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Incidence Risk of Breast Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  73. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause
  74. The Menopause Society Statement on Misinformation Surrounding Hormone Therapy
    Hormone Therapy
  75. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials and Clinical Practice
  76. The Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Trials of Menopausal Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer: Findings In Context
  77. The Women’s Health Initiative Trials: Clinical Messages
  78. ‘Tis But A Scratch: A Critical Review of the Women’s Health Initiative Evidence Associating Menopausal Hormone Therapy With the Risk of Breast Cancer
  79. Topical Vaginal Oestrogen for Breast Cancer Patients
  80. Type of Menopausal Hormone Therapy May Influence Cancer Risk
  81. Types of Hormone Therapy
  82. Video & Podcast Library: Videos – World Menopause Day 2024: Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  83. Videos & Podcasts: Videos – Menopause and Hormone Therapy: Current Perspectives and Controversies
  84. Videos and Podcasts: Videos – Interviews: The Women’s Health Initiative – What Can We Believe?
  85. World Menopause Day 2024: Leaflet for Women – Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy [Multiply Languages]
  86. World Menopause Day 2024: Poster for Women
  87. World Menopause Day 2024: The IMS White Paper – Menopause and MHT In 2024: Addressing the Key Controversies [Multiply Languages]
  88. World Menopause Day 2025 [18 October]
    Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Fast Facts: HRT and Breast Cancer Risk. September 2025. British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/12-NEW-BMS-ToolsforClinicians-Fast-Facts-HRT-and-Beast-Cancer-Risk-SEPT2025-B.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
  2. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
  3. Deciding About Hormone Therapy Use: Potential Risks. 2025:1. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/wp-content/uploads/default-document-library/MenoNote-Deciding-About-HT-2025.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
  4. Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Updated: 15 November 2025. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/using-hormone-replacement-therapy Accessed: Accessed: 04 December 2025
  5. Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 4. Why Is MHT Important? What Are the Risk? 2024:6. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
  6. Fast Facts: HRT and Breast Cancer Risk. September 2025. British Menopause Society https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/12-NEW-BMS-ToolsforClinicians-Fast-Facts-HRT-and-Beast-Cancer-Risk-SEPT2025-B.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
  7. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Risks – Breast Cancer. Page Last Reviewed: 08 February 2023. NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hormone-replacement-therapy-hrt/risks/#breast-cancer Accessed: 04 December 2025
  8. Davis, S. R., Taylor, S., Hemachandra, C., Magraith, K., Ebeling, P. R., Jane, F., and Islam, R. M. The 2023 Practitioner’s Toolkit for Managing Menopause: Management – Considerations for All Women At Menopause: Menopausal Hormone Therapy. Published Online: 30 October 2023 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13697137.2023.2258783 Accessed: 04 December 2025
  9. Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? Updated: 15 November 2025. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/using-hormone-replacement-therapy Accessed: Accessed: 04 December 2025
  10. Does HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) Increase Breast Cancer Risk? What This May Mean for You. Updated: November2025. Breastcancer.org https://www.breastcancer.org/risk/risk-factors/using-hormone-replacement-therapy Accessed: Accessed: 04 December 2025
  11. Hormone Therapy: Is It Right for You? If You Take Menopause Hormone Therapy How Can You Reduce Your Risk? 18 April 2025. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/menopause/in-depth/hormone-therapy/art-20046372 Accessed: 04 December 2025
  12. Menopause and Menopause Hormone Therapy: 4. Who Is MHT For? Women With Existing Medical Conditions. 2024:3. International Menopause Society https://www.imsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-WMD-Leaflet_English.pdf Accessed: 04 December 2025
Topic Last Updated: 08 April 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 04 December 2025

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