Since the halting of that study arm, product packages have been re-labeled to warn of the increased risk of strokes, heart attacks, blood clots and breast cancer associated with estrogen-progestin therapy. Post-menopausal patients who use such hormone therapy are now urged by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and most physicians to consider the approach as a short-term option for the relief of menopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes.

???We now anticipate that the labeling of the estrogen-only products will be reviewed in the wake of these most recent WHI findings,??? said Cheryl Perkins, M.D., senior clinical advisor for the Komen Foundation. ???Postmenopausal women, following the advice of their physicians, should consider using CEE therapy only for menopausal symptoms at the smallest effective dose and for the shortest possible time.???

Dr. Perkins, who is also a breast cancer survivor, concluded: ???The more we can learn about those factors that either increase or reduce a woman??™s risk of breast cancer, the more we can empower women in the fight against a disease that often leaves them feeling powerless.???