Mammograms and biopsy exams were found to be less reliable at detecting breast cancer among women taking hormones, which counteract symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes and vaginal dryness.

Originally, the 2002 Women's Health Initiative study involving 16,608 women aged 50 to 79 found breast cancer incidence among women taking the hormones oestrogen and progestin projected to an additional one in 1,000 cases compared to women taking an inert placebo.

Previous research has shown hormone replacement therapy increases breast tissue density, which can make detection of cancerous tumors more difficult, although the current study did not examine this factor.

Since the original findings of increased cancer risk, doctors generally have urged women opting for hormone therapy to use it at the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time.

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Mammograms and biopsy exams were found to be less reliable at detecting breast cancer among women taking hormones, which counteract symptoms of menopause...