The Role of Hormonal Therapy in the Development of Breast Cancer in the Postmenopausal Period

The article examines the association between menopausal hormone therapy and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Current evidence concerning the effects of estrogens and progestogens on hormone-dependent processes in breast tissue is reviewed. Particular attention is paid to differences between estrogen-only therapy and combined estrogen-progestogen therapy, as well as to treatment duration, age at initiation and the interval between menopause and the start of therapy. Factors that may modify individual breast cancer risk, including hereditary predisposition, excess body weight, reproductive history, breast density and concomitant diseases, are considered. The effect of menopausal hormone therapy on breast cancer risk is shown to vary according to the hormonal regimen and duration of exposure. The importance of an individualized assessment of potential benefits and risks before treatment initiation and regular breast surveillance during therapy is emphasized. A personalized approach to menopausal hormone therapy is considered essential for improving treatment safety and selecting the most ap­propriate management strategy for postmenopausal women.