Safety of hormone replacement therapy after mastectomy

Hitchins, Robert N

doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2002.tb04599.x

Topics

To the Editor: I agree with the assessment by Del Mar and colleagues of available data according to evidence-based guidelines on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) after mastectomy.1 As they note, these data are not definitive. Standard practice has been to avoid oestrogen use in women with a history of breast cancer.

Correspondence: hmedpl@ozemail.com.au

1. Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spinks AB. Safety of hormone replacement therapy after mastectomy. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 285.
2. Davis SR. Menopausal symptoms after breast cancer. Australian Doctor 2002, 1 February.
3. Eden J. Managing menopause after breast cancer. Proceedings of Annual Hormone Update and Education Day, Sydney: Sydney Menopause Centre, 16 February 2002.
4. Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spinks AB. Safety of hormone replacement therapy after mastectomy. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 285.
5. Eden JA, Bush T, Bush N, et al. A case controlled study of combined continuous estrogen-progestin replacement therapy among women with a personal history of breast cancer. J Nth Am Menopause Soc 1995; 2: 67-72.
6. Dew J, Eden J, Beller E, et al. A cohort study of hormone replacement therapy given to women previously treated for breast cancer. Climacteric 1998; 1: 137-142.
7. Stoll BA, Parbhoo S. Treatment of menopausal symptoms in breast cancer patients. Eur J Cancer Clin Oncol 1989; 25: 1909-1913.
8. Vassilopoulou-Sellin R, Asmar L, Hortobagyi GN, et al. Estrogen replacement therapy after localized breast cancer: clinical outcome of 319 women followed prospectively. J Clin Oncol 1999; 17: 1482-1487.
9. Brewster WR, DiSaia PJ, Grosen EA, et al. An experience with estrogen replacement therapy in breast cancer survivors. Int J Fertil Womens Med 1999; 44: 186-192.
10. Puthgraman K, Natrajan MD, Soumakis K, Gambrell RD. Estrogen replacement therapy in women with previous breast cancer. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999; 181: 288-295.
11. Del Mar CB, Glasziou PP, Spink A, et al. Safety of hormone replacement therapy after mastectomy. Med J Aust 2002; 176: 285.
12. National Health and Medical Research Council. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of early breast cancer. Canberra: NHMRC, 1995.

Online responses are no longer available. Please refer to our instructions for authors page for more information.