United States: Hormone replacement therapy used for menopause relief does not raise the chance of brain tumors in women.
The latest study results in Menopause Journal demonstrate that taking hormone therapy does not raise the risk of adult brain tumors known as gliomas, as reported by HealthDay.
No Increased Risk Based on Treatment Duration
“Compared with nonusers, users of hormone therapy were not significantly associated with glioma risk,” a team led by senior researcher Dr. Hui Tang, a neurosurgeon with North Sichuan Medical College in Nanchong, China, wrote.
This analysis showed that women who used hormone therapy did not show any increased brain tumor risk based on their usage length or ongoing treatment status.
According to Dr. Stephanie Faubion, studies reveal that postmenopausal women using hormone therapy experience no heightened likelihood of glioma, although women develop this disease at six times the rate men do.
Hormone Therapy’s Safety in Menopause Relief
Research papers document that healthcare providers treat typical menopause symptoms through hormone therapy by addressing hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal concerns.
Research first discovered hormone therapy risks for breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases during early trials in 2002.
Research now proves hormone therapy is safe for treating menopause symptoms, yet findings suggest it does not protect against age-related conditions such as heart disease and hip fractures.
Hormone Therapy Doesn't Increase Women's Risk of Brain Tumors https://t.co/hHJJcsZloV
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Researchers conducted this study to examine whether hormone therapy causes brain cancer risks for women.
Research teams speculated that female hormones, including estrogen, could explain why women face bigger glioma risks.
Study Overview and Methodology
The study team analyzed medical data from 75,000 women who signed up for a cancer screening study when they were between 50 and 78 years old. Researchers tracked this female population for 12 years throughout the study, as reported by HealthDay.
Long-term hormone therapy use by women did not raise their glioma risk.
The research team wants other studies with bigger participant groups and longer study time to confirm these results.