Hormone replacement therapy lowers risk of colorectal cancer

Research from the Carmel Medical Center in Haifa, Israel shows that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) reduces the risk of colorectal cancer in postmenopausal women. The study indicates a reduction of risk by more than half in women taking combined estrogen-progestin oral pills.

The study adjusted for demographics, aspirin and statin use, sports activity, family history of colorectal cancer, and vegetable consumption. Women who took aspirin or played sports did not demonstrate a risk reduction. Researchers caution that further study is necessary to understand the causes for such differences.

The study, published in the online "Journal of Clinical Oncology"compared the self-reported use of HRT from 2,460 peri/postmenopausal women among 2,648 patients with colorectal cancer and 2,566 controls. Results showed a 63 percent relative reduction in risk of colorectal cancer after adjustment for other known risk factors.