Does Estrogen-Only HRT Decrease Breast Cancer Risk? Nationally Recognized Endocrinologist Dr. Marina Johnson Weighs In

Does Estrogen-Only HRT Decrease Breast Cancer Risk? Nationally Recognized Endocrinologist Dr. Marina Johnson Weighs In

"....So here's Dr. Johnson's take-home message: "You don't need to delay starting HRT if you choose natural estradiol and progesterone over synthetic estrogens and progestins. Don't endure symptoms like hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety, depression, sexual dysfunction, mental confusion, and weight gain. Start HRT within 10 years of menopause for the most protection against Heart Disease, Alzheimer's and Osteoporosis.
"Avoid the increased heart attacks and strokes seen in WHI by choosing topical estrogen in the form of patches, gels, creams and mists that are available at any drug store. Pharmaceutical natural hormones (also called bioidentical hormones) are superior to compounded bioidentical hormones because they are required to meet higher standards for quality control and efficacy."

Read more in Dr. Johnson's book, "Outliving Your Ovaries: An Endocrinologist Weighs The Risks And Rewards Of Treating Menopause With Hormone Replacement Therapy" (http://www.outlivingyourovaries.com) (Eyesong Publishing, February 2011), which is available in paperback, e-book and can be shipped internationally. Use coupon code BZCWJDM5 for $5 off of the retail price with purchase at http://www.buydrmarinajohnsonbook.com.
Dr. Marina Johnson, a pharmacist and UCLA/USC-trained physician, is board-certified in Endocrinology and Internal Medicine.

Jan 2012 abstract: Long-term follow-up of Jewish women with a BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation who underwent population genetic screening

Blogger's Note: in this study longterm followup = 2 years

Abstract

There are two mutations in BRCA1 and one in BRCA2, which are present in up to 2.5% of Jewish women. Population genetic testing for Jewish women has been proposed; however, it is unclear how this would impact the uptake of cancer prevention options and psychosocial functioning in women with a positive result. Two thousand and eighty unselected Jewish women were tested for the Jewish BRCA mutations, and 1.1% were positive. Cancer-related distress was measured before testing, and at 1 and 2 years post-testing. Information on uptake of cancer risk reduction options was collected at 2 years. Breast and ovarian cancer risks were estimated using BRCAPRO. Within 2 years of receiving a positive result, 11.1% of women had prophylactic mastectomy, and 89.5% had a prophylactic oophorectomy. The mean breast cancer risk was estimated to be 37.2% at time of testing, compared to 20.9% at 2 years post-testing. The mean ovarian cancer risk was estimated to be 24.5% at time of testing, compared to 7.5% at 2 years following testing. Distress decreased between 1 and 2 years for women with prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy (P = 0.02), and for women with prophylactic oophorectomy only (P = 0.04) but not for those with neither surgery. The majority of Jewish women with a BRCA mutation identified through a population screening elected prophylactic oophorectomy, but a few had a prophylactic mastectomy. Uptake of either surgery resulted in decreased distress. Provision of population BRCA testing resulted in reduced risks of breast and ovarian cancers in women with a mutation.

Keywords  BRCA1 – BRCA2 – Breast cancer – Genetic testing – Jewish

Cleaning products do not increase risk of breast cancer: Research - media report

AACR Hosts Cancer Disparities Conference in Miami, Fla. abstract online Sept

This year, the American Association for Cancer Research will host its third conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved at the Loews Miami Beach Hotel in Miami, Fla.

Findings presented at this year’s meeting will include:

• proven communication methods for reaching minority populations;
• strategies to increase enrollment in clinical trials;
• prognosis in lung cancer affected by race;
• breast cancer trends in Arab and Israeli Jewish women;
• the importance of social support and physical activity in survivors; and,
• socioeconomics and access to health care.
To help you plan your coverage of the conference, the program schedule is available online at
http://www.aacr.org/disparities2010

abstracts will be available on Sept. 22, 2010