Progestins and recurrence in breast cancer survivors

In summary, the results from these two trials, although limited by several design and implementation features, provide additional evidence that progestin use is associated with an increased breast cancer risk, compared with its nonuse. The lack of direct evidence for the effects of estrogen alone from these two trials, especially in the context of divergent data on the effects of exogenous estrogen, emphasizes the need to design subsequent studies to address questions for specific agents. For breast cancer survivors, however, current evidence supports non-hormone-based interventions for vasomotor and vaginal-vulvar symptom control in most circumstances. The possibility that use of estrogen alone in symptomatic breast cancer survivors with a hysterectomy may represent an option with a favorable risk/benefit balance warrants further clinical attention. © Oxford University Press 2005, all rights reserved.