CANCER OF THE WOMB – USING OESTROGENS
May 15th, 2009The risk from oestrogens becomes greater the longer the drug is used and the bigger the dose. We are hesitant to use them beyond six months.
Oestrogens used regularly for longer than this may increase the risk of uterine cancer some five or more times.
The newer method of using oestrogens in the post-menopausal woman is to give it in a cyclical fashion — three weeks on and one week off. Progesterone, the other female hormone, is given during this week off oestrogen.
This routine will usually cause some bleeding. This method, by clearing away the whole lining of the womb each month, greatly lowers the risk of cancer.
The Pap smear is not a reliable test for cancer of the body of the uterus but, if women have one taken, it gives the doctor an opportunity to question them on the presence of symptoms such as bleeding or discharge and to examine the womb. Any suggestive symptoms or findings may lead to a curette or washing out of the lining of the womb to detect cancer cells.
Regular screening for breast and cervical cancer is possible without the need to set up special clinics.
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