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Established risk factors
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Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
Taking HRT to treat menopausal symptoms can increase the risk of breast cancer and this risk increases the longer it is used.
But the evidence shows that short-term use of HRT (less than 5 years) is likely to have only a small effect on breast cancer risk. The risk appears to be greater with combined HRT (oestrogen and progesterone) than with oestrogen-only HRT.
The good news is that this risk begins to fall as soon as HRT is stopped. Within five years of stopping HRT, a woman's chance of developing breast cancer is about the same as if she had never taken HRT.
The decision to start, stop or change the type of HRT needs to be an informed choice, made by women themselves with the help of their GP. This decision should take into account the impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life, family history, the risks and benefits of HRT as well as personal preference.
Treatment choice should be based on up-to-date information and targeted to an individual woman's needs. If you are taking HRT, you should review your therapy and general health with your GP at least once a year.
For more information see our fact sheet HRT and Breast Cancer Risk: the Facts.
The good news is that this risk begins to fall as soon as HRT is stopped. Within five years of stopping HRT, a woman's chance of developing breast cancer is about the same as if she had never taken HRT.
The decision to start, stop or change the type of HRT needs to be an informed choice, made by women themselves with the help of their GP. This decision should take into account the impact of menopausal symptoms on quality of life, family history, the risks and benefits of HRT as well as personal preference.
Treatment choice should be based on up-to-date information and targeted to an individual woman's needs. If you are taking HRT, you should review your therapy and general health with your GP at least once a year.
For more information see our fact sheet HRT and Breast Cancer Risk: the Facts.
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