Cancer Research UK has a more sensible approach to HRT. Given that their website page was last reviewed on March 22, 2023 is a very good sign for me, as it means they see this chapter as continuing learning and keeping abreast of scientific progress – as it should be, all over the world.

Cancer Research UK
	Combined HRT (Oestrogen and Progesterone)	Oestrogen-only HRT
Breast cancer risk	Slightly increases	Slightly increases
Ovarian cancer risk	Slightly increases	Slightly increases
Endometrial (womb) cancer risk	Not affected	Increases – reason why it is usually prescribed to people who have had a hysterectomy
Website	https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/hormones-and-cancer/does-hormone-replacement-therapy-increase-cancer-risk

The North American Menopause Society, just like the websites in Canada (it does make geographical sense, no?) mentions on their website page on HRT the one and only, the “eternal study”, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) trial, from 2002. That is from 22 years ago, I have already discussed this, there is no point in repeating myself. Yet, here is their recommendation: “Literally hundreds of clinical studies have provided evidence that systemic HT (estrogen with or without progesterone) effectively helps such conditions as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, and bone loss. These benefits can lead to improved sleep, and sexual relations, and quality of life.”  (https://www.menopause.org/for-women/menopauseflashes/menopause-symptoms-and-treatments/hormone-therapy-benefits-risks)

In my search for the truth, logic, and scientific evidence, I found this article written by Koren Wetmore on February 8, 2023 (https://www.cedars-sinai.org/blog/hormone-replacement-therapy-risks-benefits.html). She interviewed Cedars-Sinai Fertility and Reproductive Medicine Center reproductive endocrinologist Dr. Jessica Chen. Here is what Dr. Chen says: “The attitude toward hormone therapy has changed in recent years. Most medical societies support not only the ‘lowest dose for the shortest time’ but also ‘the appropriate dose for the appropriate amount of time.’” Another very interesting idea in that article, has to do with the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, that is the exact opposite of what my “favorite study” – I won’t even mention its name anymore, is saying: “When started before a woman reaches menopause (during the perimenopause transition), HRT reduces the risk of this fuel switch and can cut a woman’s Alzheimer’s disease risk in half. Once a woman reaches menopause, HRT no longer appears to have this brain-protecting effect.”

The best one I found so far is the article “’Tis but a scratch: a critical review of the Women’s Health Initiative evidence associating menopausal hormone therapy with the risk of breast cancer” written as a personal perspective by Bluming, Avrum Z. MD; Hodis, Howard N. MD; Langer, Robert D. MD, MPH. Finally, something and someone that have a logic! You can read the article here: https://journals.lww.com/menopausejournal/abstract/2023/12000/_tis_but_a_scratch__a_critical_review_of_the.10.aspx#:~:text=No%20increase%20in%20breast%20cancer,20%20years%20of%20follow-up. I was very interested in what Dr. Avrum Bluming had to say, so I investigated further and I found an excellent interview with him here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPEcNridthc. He is a retired oncologist; he is the husband and father of women who have had breast cancer and who are both on HRT.  While criticizing THE STUDY, he is also in favor of HRT. To me, Dr. Avrum Bluming’s perspective is the most unbiased, professional, logical, scientifically coherent opinion I have found so far in all the research I did regarding menopause and hormone replacement therapies. He is one of the pioneers in this field, and one of the open and brave minds we need for things to change.

So, let’s do this!