New study says HRT could be safe
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According to the review by Professor Samuel Shapiro, an epidemiologist at Cape Town Medical School, South Africa, the Million Women Study's research was inaccurate.
The original research, which associated taking HRT with doubling the risk of breast cancer, caused an estimated one million women to stop taking the pills.
The researchers who carried out the Million Women Study at Cancer Research UK's Epidemiology Unit said taking HRT "doubled the risk of breast cancer compared to women who didn't take it."
However the new review said the study's design was inaccurate. Professor Shapiro mentioned the fact that women who were found to have cancer within weeks of the study beginning were still included in the data, which affected the findings.
The review, which was published in the Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, said: "Size alone does not guarantee that the findings are reliable. HRT may or may not increase the risk of breast cancer, but the MWS does not establish that it does."
Review co-author Dr John Stevenson, consultant metabolic physician at Imperial College, London, and Royal Brompton Hospital London, told the Daily Mail: "So much damage has been done by frightening women off HRT, in terms of reducing their quality of life, preventing bone loss and fractures and improving the risk of cardiovascular disease."
"HRT is one of the cheapest treatments in medicine and we have yet to count the cost to the NHS because of women not having HRT."
Do you think HRT is safe to take or not? Let us know below...
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- Exercise<p> Regular weight-bearing exercise like running, cycling and walking can help with menopausal mood swings, weight gain and will guard against osteoporosis, which most commonly affects women over the age of 50.</p>
- Cut caffeine and alcohol<p> Along with cigarettes and carbonated drinks (the phosphorus isn't good for bones), high amounts of caffeine should be avoided, so forget about fighting fatigue with a couple of morning cups of coffee. Not only can caffeine exacerbate insomnia (another menopausal symptom), it can also trigger hot flushes. Alcohol is another hot flush instigator.</p>
- Acupuncture<p> Studies have found that acupuncture can help alleviate the severity of menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and can also help boost moods and reduce insomnia. </p>
- Cotton sheets and nightclothes<p> Night sweats caused by fluctuating oestrogen levels, coupled with menopause-related insomnia, can make sleeping troublesome. Take control by switching to cotton PJs and 100% per cent cotton bedding, which will absorb moisture more efficiently.</p>
- Layer it<p> Hot flushes are unpleasant but can be helped by turning down the thermostat, staying hydrated and wearing comfortable, loose-fitting layers of clothing (in cotton or another natural fibre) so you can easily slip one off when you start to feel overheated.</p>
- Stay hydrated<p> Water is as important as ever during the menopause. Keep hydrated by drinking plenty during the day - H2O will also help with undesirable symptoms like dry skin, flushes and headaches.</p>
- Lubrication<p> Vaginal dryness is one of the most common (and more embarrassing) symptoms of menopause and can be exacerbated by stress and anxiety. A lubricant or vitamin E oil should help.</p>
- Turn down the spice<p> </p> <p> Spicy foods may be tasty, but they also raise body temperature and can exacerbate hot flushes. Other foods to avoid include meats high in saturated fats and high-sugar foods, which affect how the body metabolises oestrogen.</p>
- De-stress<p> Mood swings and irritability, not to mention physical achiness in the bones and joints, are all symptoms that a de-stressing practise like yoga can help with. Yoga and meditation are also useful in helping women relax and sleep better, and the exercise can help combat the weight gain some experience in menopause.</p>
- Supplements<p> Some women alleviate menopausal symptoms with supplements like black cohosh (meant to decrease hot flushes, but it can cause liver problems), ginseng (thought to improve moods), red clover and Chinese herb dong quai, which are all used by women as alternatives to HRT. But these supplements aren't right for everyone, so check with a doctor to make sure they're safe for you. </p>
- Dietary changes<p> Diet can play a key role in helping to reduce menopausal symptoms. Eating foods rich in vitamin E (nuts, vegetable oils, cereals), can help with dry skin and also reduces cholesterol damage. Also, a diet with plenty of plant-based foods that are high in phyto-oestrogens (which balance hormonal levels in the body) like soya, lentils, seeds and kidney beans is thought to be beneficial. To keep bones strong and healthy, ensure you have plenty of calcium, too. </p>
