Huge drop in HRT over cancer fears

THERE has been a dramatic decrease in the number of women seeking Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) since studies established that the most common form increased the risk of breast cancer.

The Well Woman Centre saw a 40% drop in the number of women seeking HRT since 2002, a figure that also reflects trends in other European countries.

In August 2002, a US study showed that women on HRT were at increased risk of stroke by 41%, of heart attack by 29% and breast cancer by up to 26%.