Are You "Aware" When it Comes to HRT?

Robert W. Griffith, MD

It was in 2002 - five years ago - that the first major doubt about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) arose. The Women's Health Initiative Study failed to confirm expectations that HRT carried benefits for the cardiovascular system. Quite the reverse: the results showed that significant cancer and heart risks were associated with long-term use. Publicity at the time was enormous, and many American women abandoned HRT altogether. The net effect of this reduced use has been good, in particular with the decrease in breast cancer. But a survey reported in the journal Menopause shows that in 2004 - just two years after the original publication - only 30% of women aged 40-60 who were polled online knew about the study.

First, the women were asked if they had heard or read of the results of the 2002 study. Then, they were asked whether HRT increased, decreased, or had no effect on the risk of memory loss, heart disease, blood clots, stroke, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Only 40% of the replies showed average or better knowledge of these risks; both poor education and being African-American were associated with even less knowledge. The two risks with the highest 'score' were breast cancer and osteoporosis.

The survey was criticized as including women who may not have even thought about menopause at the time they were asked to participate. The question remains, how many women who need to possess this information actually have it. If we want to improve health by preventing preventable disease, we must ensure that important information is disseminated to those who need to know.

Source
HealthandAge Blog

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