Can You Take Hormone Therapy After Breast Cancer? Examining the Evidence
For decades, women with a history of breast cancer have been told that menopausal hormone therapy is simply not an option. But what happens when we take a closer look at the research behind that recommendation?In this video, I revisit one of the most debated questions in menopause medicine: Can women who have had breast cancer safely consider hormone therapy?Drawing on decades of research, including the work of Avrum Z. Bluming, MD, and other leading experts, I explore what we know about hormone therapy, breast cancer recurrence, mortality, and the differences between various types of risk.Some findings challenge long-standing assumptions, while other studies raise important safety concerns. And that's exactly why this conversation deserves more than a simple yes or no.We also need to consider what happens when women are left to manage significant menopausal symptoms without effective treatment. Sleep, sexual health, bone health, and overall quality of life matter, too.Does a history of breast cancer mean hormone therapy should always be ruled out? Or is there room for a more individualized conversation?The answer depends on many factors, including the type of cancer, its hormone receptor status, treatment history, individual risk factors, and the available evidence. Systemic hormone therapy is generally not recommended after breast cancer because of recurrence concerns, but that doesn't mean every patient's circumstances or treatment options are identical.My goal is not to tell every woman what decision to make. It's to encourage better questions, a deeper understanding of the evidence, and meaningful conversations with the physicians involved in her care.Because women deserve to understand both the potential benefits and the risks before making decisions about their health.Resources & ResearchHormone Replacement Therapy After Breast Cancer: It Is TimeAvrum Z. Bluming, MDhttps://bit.ly/4st0ujiMenopausal Hormone Therapy for Breast Cancer Patients: What Is the Current Evidence?Sarah Glynne, MBBS, MSc, MRCP, MRCGP; James Simon, MD; Anthony Branson, FRCP; Stephen Payne, FRCS; Louise Newson, MBChB; Isaac Manyonda, PhD; Susan Cleator, PhD; Michael Douek, MD; Sasha Usiskin, MRCP; Jeffrey S. Tobias, MD; Jayant S. Vaidya, PhDhttps://bit.ly/41leKytInterested in booking an appointment?Click here: https://completemidlifewellnesscenter.com In-person care in Houston and Cypress Virtual medical care across Texas, California, Colorado and New MexicoDr. Susan Hardwick-Smith is a nationally recognized, board-certified OB/GYN, Certified Menopause Practitioner, author, physician executive, and authority on menopause, hormone therapy, sexual wellness, and women’s healthspan. She founded Complete Midlife Wellness Center, serving women in Houston and through virtual care. Previously, she built Complete Women’s Care Center into the nation’s largest all-female OB/GYN group. Named a Texas Super Doctor 20 times, she is a member of the Texas Super Doctors Hall of Fame and a former national Physician Executive of the Year. Dr. Susan is the best-selling author of Sexually Woke, host of the Empowering Midlife Wellness podcast, and author of the forthcoming Create Her. She makes complex medical science practical, helping women live healthier, stronger lives in midlife and beyond. She has also completed nine full Ironman triathlons and more than a dozen marathons and supports women’s health initiatives in Sierra Leone and Malawi. Follow Dr. Susan on social media:Instagram: www.instagram.com/drsusanofficialFacebook: www.facebook.com/drsusanofficialPodcast: https://apple.co/3ePe5NJTikTok: www.tiktok.com/@drsusanofficial Bring Dr. Susan’s Voice to Your Stage
