People’s Pharmacy: Research underscores that estrogen does not mean increased breast cancer risk

DEAR PEOPLE’S PHARMACY:

People worry about the problems of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). I know one case doesn’t prove anything, but I took Premarin for 26 years with no negative effects.

The doctor prescribed Premarin after a hysterectomy, not to deal with hot flashes or night sweats, since I had none. Instead, it was meant to avoid osteoporosis. My doctors say that it worked. Some have said that with the fears about giving hormones these days, there has been an increase in osteoporosis.

I have seen no negative effects whatsoever from being on Premarin all that time. I have not developed breast cancer, even though having a sister with breast cancer put me at higher-than-average risk. I feel I was fortunate to have had my surgery and to have been on Premarin before they decided long-term HRT was too risky.

A.

We appreciate you sharing your story. A recent study supports your experience. The investigators reviewed records from more than 450,000 women under 55 years of age. Those receiving estrogen alone after a hysterectomy were less likely to develop breast cancer (Lancet Oncology, July 2025). On the other hand, women who took both estrogen and progestin had a higher risk of young-onset breast cancer.

Another study (JAMA Network Open, July 1, 2025) also found that estrogen plus progestin was associated with an increase in breast cancer.

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In their column, Joe and Teresa Graedon answer letters from readers. Write to them in care of King Features, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803, or email them via their website: www.PeoplesPharmacy.com. Their newest book is “Top Screwups Doctors Make and How to Avoid Them.”

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