Download TUESDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY 2015 Over the weekend there were

TUESDAY, 17TH FEBRUARY 2015
Over the weekend there were many news articles regarding a new report published in the Lancet
that provides new evidence on the use of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) and the risk of
developing the two most common types of ovarian cancer. The report, which is based on an analysis
of 52 studies involving 20,000 women from several countries, including Australia, estimated that for
women starting HRT at age 50 years, five years use of HRT would result in around one additional
case of ovarian cancer per 1,000 users of HRT. The additional risk associated with HRT use is less 10
years after ceasing HRT use, but not eliminated completely.
While this additional risk is statistically significant, it is important to understand that the lifetime risk
of an Australian woman developing ovarian cancer in the general population is small (about 1 in 78
Australia) due to the rarity of ovarian cancer so, even with a 40% increase, it is still a rare disease.
The study does not address the risk of recurrence for women who have already been treated for
ovarian cancer and subsequently treated with HRT and women younger than 55 years with a
hysterectomy were excluded. According to Professor Penny Webb (Group Leader, QIMR Berghofer
Medical Research Institute), “There is currently no good evidence to suggest use of HRT might affect
the risk of recurrence among women who have previously been treated for ovarian cancer, but it has
been associated with better quality of life. Like most things in life, there are risks and benefits
associated with HRT use. We now know more about the risks but these are low, especially for shortterm use, and these risks have to be balanced against the benefits of HRT in terms of its relief of
menopausal symptoms.”
Women who have been treated for ovarian cancer should consult with their GP or specialist if they
are concerned about taking HRT.
This study adds to our body of knowledge on ovarian cancer risk factors but the picture is not yet
complete. For example, we don’t know how this risk would relate to women already identified to be
“at risk” of ovarian cancer, such as for women with genetic mutations (eg BRCA1/2) and/or a family
history of ovarian cancer. Research priorities identified in the National Action Plan for Ovarian
Cancer Research led by Ovarian Cancer Australia include the need for more research to better
understand the risk factors and how this knowledge may be translated into prevention strategies.
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