10/21/2026
π LETβS TALK HORMONES & BREAST CANCER! π
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and itβs the perfect time to clear up one of the biggest misconceptions surrounding hormone replacement therapy (HRT).
π MYTH: Hormone replacement therapy automatically causes breast cancer.
β
FACT: The relationship between hormones and breast cancer is much more complex than that!
For years, women have been afraid of hormone therapy because of concerns about breast cancer. But research has helped us better understand the risks and benefits of different types of hormone therapy.
β¨ Hereβs what you should know:
π Not all hormones are the same. Estrogen-only therapy and combined estrogen-progestogen therapy have different breast cancer risk profiles.
π Estrogen alone does not necessarily increase breast cancer risk. In the Womenβs Health Initiative trial, estrogen-only therapy in women who had undergone a hysterectomy was associated with a lower incidence of breast cancer.
π The type of hormone therapy matters. Certain combined estrogen-progestogen therapies have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer, particularly with longer use.
π Hormones arenβt the enemy! Estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone play important roles in our bodies, influencing everything from bone health and sleep to sexual function and overall well-being.
π Individualized care is KEY. Your age, medical history, family history, breast cancer risk, and symptoms should all be considered before starting hormone therapy.
π©Ί THE BOTTOM LINE:
Hormone replacement therapy does NOT automatically mean you will develop breast cancer. However, it would also be inaccurate to say that all hormone therapies carry zero breast cancer risk.
Women deserve accurate information, not fear-based decisions!
At Kentucky Family Practice, we believe in educating our patients, discussing the evidence, and developing individualized treatment plans.
π Donβt let misinformation make your healthcare decisions for you.
π Kentucky Family Practice
π Contact our office to learn more about hormone replacement therapy!