The risk of breast cancer from using hormone replacement therapy, or HRT, is double what was previously thought, according to a major piece of research.
Published in the medical journal the Lancet, the research says one in 50 women, of average weight, who take the most common form of HRT for five years will get breast cancer as a result.
That risk is twice what was thought, because it continues at some level for 10 or more years after they stop taking HRT.
Dr Beverley Lawton is the Director Te Tatai Hauora o Hine, the Centre for Women's Health Research, at Victoria University. She spoke to Susie Ferguson about what it means.
