Dr. Alexandra Mayer, Ethos Integrative Medicine
It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and our goal is to empower women with accurate health information! Misconceptions about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) often deter women due to fears of breast cancer risk. Let’s address this concern.
What is Hormone Replacement Therapy?
HRT provides the body with necessary hormones to ease discomfort from hormonal imbalances, like menopausal symptoms of hot flashes and mood swings. HRT is available in various forms, but not all HRT is created equally.
Synthetic hormones are chemically altered, often leading to side effects. Bioidentical hormones, however, are structurally identical to hormones naturally produced by the body, reducing associated side effects. Many women prefer bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) for this reason.
Debunking the Myth that HRT Causes Breast Cancer:
The risks in the media aren’t what we thought them to be! Initial studies from the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) indicated a 26% increase in breast cancer risk with estrogen and synthetic progestin use. Unfortunately, this was interpreted as 26 in 100 women will get breast cancer.
It actually translates to less than one additional breast cancer case per 1,000 women, per year. A recent UK study also confirmed the WHI results: Women using estrogen-only HRT did not show elevated breast cancer risk compared to non-users.
The Key Takeaway:
The only group with increased breast cancer risk were those taking estrogen and synthetic progestin. Women using estrogen and bioidentical progesterone had no increased breast cancer risk.
For many women, BHRT has transformed their health, alleviating hot flashes and night sweats, stabilizing mood, improving vaginal health, and supporting weight management.
What This Means for Women:
Hormonal shifts are not something you “just have to deal with.” At Ethos Integrative Medicine, we prioritize assessing for potential risk factors before any treatment. Our approach involves a comprehensive evaluation of your health history and precise lab tests before recommending any BHRT.
With the right provider, thorough lab testing, advanced cancer screening, and tailored care, BHRT is a safe and effective solution to alleviate peri-menopausal and menopausal symptoms, leading to an improved quality of life!
Scan the QR code below to access our FREE report, “Why Your Labs Are Normal But You Still Feel Like Crap,” and call 480-360-0115 to schedule an appointment with our hormone specialists at Ethos Integrative Medicine.
