Hormone replacement therapy and tumour grade in breast cancer: prospective study in screening unit: Table 1

Several studies report an increased incidence of breast cancer in women taking hormone replacement therapy (apparently a duration dependent phenomenon)1 2 3; however, a decreased mortality from breast cancer has been reported in women using the treatment.1 We assessed the prognostic factors for breast cancers detected by screening at one unit to determine if cancers developing in women who used hormone replacement therapy have a better prognosis. All postmenopausal women (>12 months since last menstrual period or women over 50 who had had a hysterectomy) with invasive breast cancer detected at our screening unit between 1989 and 1994 were identified. Prognostic factors and history of use of hormone replacement therapy were recorded. Women taking hormone replacement therapy for more than three months within the year before their breast cancer diagnosis were considered “users.” After definitive surgery, pathological tumour size, grade, …