News and Press Releases
Title:
HRT 'could double the threat of skin cancer'
Date Written:
03 Mar 2009
A Dutch population study has found that women who developed malignant melanomas were more likely to have used either oral contraceptives (OCs) or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This association has been raised in the past, but no clear answer has ensued. The present study does not really clarify the issue. The women exposed to exogenous oestrogens had more commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) which may themselves increase the risk of skin cancer. But more importantly there was no assessment of sunlight exposure, by far the most important risk factor for melanoma, and so it is not known if the oestrogen users had a greater exposure than the non-users. This would completely confound the findings, since it is known that HRT users do choose to have greater exposure to ultra-violet light than non-users. Women who are concerned about developing skin cancer should pay close attention to their exposure to ultra-violet light rather than worry about whether or not to use OCs or HRT.
Dr John C Stevenson
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