Women and Colon Cancer

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may be linked to preventing colorectal cancer in women. Research has shown a 28% reduction in numbers. Hormone therapy is used by women going through menopause; however since the research is only preliminary doctors are urging women not to use HRT to protect themselves from colon cancer. HRT may have adverse affects on some women, so it is important women consult their physicians prior. Forbes said, "Dr. David Limsui, lead author of the study and a fellow in the department of gastroenterology at the Mayo Clinic, said that "the ideal situation would be that we find the pathway by which estrogen may protect against colorectal cancer risk and find a drug or a therapy that can provide protection through that pathway without the adverse effects of estrogen. We need to figure out how and why." Such links between HRT and colon cancer were found in the first of these studies in 2002. So researchers are optimistic this may lead to further and maybe even more promising research.