Thursday, October 23, 2008

Hormone Therapy is Safe for BRCA1 Mutation Carriers

The J Natl Cancer Inst. has published reassuring findings from a case control study. Women with BRCA1 mutations have a lifetime risk for breast cancer of 60-80%. Many of these women undergo prophylactic oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries) before menopause as a way to lower their risk. This surgery can cause severe, sometimes disabling symptoms of menopause and really affect a woman's quality