Breast Cancer Hormone Replacement Therapy

This (Mount Sinai gymnasium of Medicine) report addresses hormonal replacement therapy for breast cancer. Since the overall risks and benefits of hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) in breast cancer survivors are not clearly established, and it is unlikely that a definitive answer will be available in the near coming time a decision analytic computer prototype has been developed for individualizing decisions, using the best available literature estimates for all popularly known or suspected benefits and adverse results The model allows input of individual risk factors for breast cancer return coronary artery disease, osteoporosis, etc and allows weighting of patients' elections for these outcomes.

It is place that women at average risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) and hip fracture, let slip 4.3 quality-adjusted life months (QALMs) through taking HRT. Women who value the CHD and hip fracture states as having the worst impact upon health, and breast cancer return as having the mildest impact upon health, lose the least from HRT 36 QALMs. Women who value the CHD and hip fracture states as having the mildest impact, and breast cancer return as having the worst impact upon health, lose 5.3 QALMS. Therefore, unles subsequent time studies show a larger benefit upon CHD mortality or other health states, HRT decisions for breast cancer survivors should include careful consideration of individual choices for all potential outcomes. The protoplast can readily incorporate data upon new treatments and other consequences as they become available.

(Order this LIFE SCIENCES & BIOTECHNOLOGY UPDATE reviewed report from InfoTeam Inc., PO receptacle 15640, Plantation, FL 33318-5640; Phone (954) 473-9560 Fax (954) 473-0544: Report No. L20010820; 2000 19 pp Price: $8900 prepaid.)

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