• What Is OWN?
    What the preview!
    GO
  • Health News
    Get information you can use in your inbox!
    GO
  • Dr. Oz's New Show
    Where and when to watch Dr. Oz weekdays
    GO

After HRT, Some Health Risks Remain

By Kathleen Doheny

Another Expert Weighs In
The new study does have some good news, says James Liu, MD, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at MacDonald Women's Hospital, Case Medical Center, University Hospitals, Cleveland, who reviewed the findings for WebMD. Until 2001, Liu was one of the principal investigators for the Women's Health Initiative.

"The good news is that the effects for the vast majority of side effects appear to reverse," he says. "The breast cancer issue may take longer to resolve."

HRT and Health Risks: Advice for Former Users
Women who took HRT should pay close attention to cancer screenings such as mammograms and colorectal cancer screening, Chlebowski says.

Women who are still taking HRT should re-evaluate their need for it with their doctor periodically, Liu says. "If they are still on it, I think they need to ask the question, why are they still on it? If they are still symptomatic [with menopausal symptoms] they need to continue their breast [cancer] surveillance."

The findings apply only to the combined HRT; results of the follow-up of women who took estrogen-only are expected later.