Hormones and cancer
HRT is a treatment that can reduce symptoms of menopause. Menopause is a natural part of ageing where periods stop due to lower hormone levels. It happens to anyone who has periods and usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55 but can happen earlier. During menopause, the ovaries start to produce less of the hormone oestrogen. Most people who go through menopause will experience symptoms. These can include hot flushes, anxiety, mood swings and difficulty sleeping. Symptoms can last for months or years and can have a big impact on daily life. HRT can help to reduce symptoms by replacing the hormones that are low around the time of menopause. The main types of HRT are:
Combined HRT, which has both the hormones oestrogen and progestogen
Oestrogen-only HRT
Oestrogen-only HRT is usually for people who have had their womb removed (hysterectomy). If you have a womb, you need to take progestogen as well as oestrogen (combined HRT). This is to protect your womb lining from the effects of oestrogen.
There are lots of different ways to take HRT, including tablets, patches and gels. You can learn more about HRT from the NHS.
HRT slightly increases the risk of some cancers. But for most people, the overall risk is very small and the benefits of HRT usually outweigh these risks.
Older studies found that HRT increased the risk of cancer. But newer research gives a more detailed picture, showing that cancer risks from HRT depend on lots of different factors. These include age, a personal or family history of cancer, the type of HRT used, the treatment routine and dose, and how long HRT is taken for.
There are also newer types of HRT formulations available today. Research is ongoing to understand how these formulations may impact cancer risk.
You can talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of HRT for your personal situation. They can help you decide whether HRT is right for you.
Combined HRT slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. For oestrogen-only HRT, there is little or no increased risk of breast cancer.
Any increases in risk get bigger the longer HRT is used and the older someone is. When HRT is stopped, the increased risk goes down over time. This takes longer, the longer that HRT was used.
Researchers are still learning about newer types of progestogens used in combined HRT. Some may have different and possibly lower breast cancer risks. This includes research into micronised progesterone. This is a type of regulated body-identical hormone that is the same as those naturally produced by the body.
The risk of ovarian cancer in most women under age 60 is very small. Both combined HRT and oestrogen-only HRT may very slightly increase the risk of ovarian cancer. But the overall risk is still very small. When HRT is stopped, the increased risk starts to go back down.
Oestrogen-only HRT increases the risk of womb cancer. This increased risk gets bigger the longer HRT is used and may stay for some years after HRT is stopped. This is why oestrogen-only HRT is usually only offered to people who have had their womb removed.
People with a womb need to take progestogen alongside oestrogen (combined HRT). This counteracts the effects of oestrogen and protects the womb from the increased womb cancer risk.
There are different ways to take combined HRT. Some people take both oestrogen and progestogen every day. Others take oestrogen every day and progestogen only for part of the month. Your doctor can tell you more about these options and help you decide which is right for you.
Read more about different HRT treatment routines on the NHS website.
Cancer risk from HRT is small and depends on several factors. These include your age, a personal or family history of cancer, the type of HRT you use, how long you take it, and the dose and treatment routine you follow. As well as cancer risk, it’s also important to consider:
Your symptoms and the potential benefits that HRT could bring
Other possible health risks. These may also vary depending on factors like your age, health history and type of HRT
Find out more about the benefits and risks of HRT from the NHS.
The balance of benefits and risks of HRT will be different for each person. For most people, the benefits of HRT usually outweigh the risks.
Your doctor can help you make an informed choice on whether HRT is right for you. It may also take some time to find the right type, method and dose of HRT. Your doctor can help you explore the options and find what works best for you.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet and being active may help with menopause symptoms. This can also help reduce your risk of cancer. Other things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer include:
Last reviewed: 08 May 2026
Next review due: 08 Mar 2026
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