Oestrogen-only HRT increases breast cancer risk, study finds

LONG-TERM oestrogen-only hormone replacement therapy for women who have had their wombs removed can increase the risk of breast cancer, researchers said today.

Oestrogen-only HRT is reserved for women who have undergone hysterectomies because of its association with womb cancer.

Other types of HRT, given to women with wombs, contain a combination of oestrogen and the synthetic hormone progestin.