For Immediate Release: January 21, 2002
Contact: DMS Communications (603) 650-1492
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DMS/NCCC Conducts Large-Scale Hormone Replacement Therapy Study
Hanover, NH A team of Dartmouth Medical School and Norris Cotton Cancer Center investigators who are committed to improving women's health are conducting one of the country's largest studies of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). The study, New Hampshire Women for Health, is evaluating the relationships between the use of HRT, breast cancer and its detection, and quality of life in New Hampshire residents.
Funded by a $2.5 million grant from the National Cancer Institute, the study involves surveying more than 50,000 women over five years to assess use of hormone replacement and how it affects breast cancer incidence, detection and health-related quality of life. Participation entails completing two questionnaires, one now, and another in three years. Already some 30,000 women have replied to the initial survey and many more are being solicited.
Although research has suggested women on HRT have a modestly increased risk of breast cancer, few studies have adjusted for the frequency of mammography screening, "This is an important limitation, because more frequent mammography among women who obtain HRT prescriptions through regular physician visits may lead to increased breast cancer detection compared to non users, " says Principal Investigator Patricia Carney, PhD, associate professor of community and family medicine.
She and colleagues Linda Titus Ernstoff, PhD, and Anna Tosteson, ScD, are culling participants through the New Hampshire Mammography Network, a statewide registry that tracks the outcomes of mammography screening. All candidates must meet certain age criteria of being at or near menopause (age 40 or older), and have given prior consent to be contacted for information.
Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in New Hampshire women. More than 250,000 women are enrolled in the mammography registry, which enables researchers at the NCCC, working with professionals throughout the state, to help advance understanding of breast cancer and improve the quality of mammography screening.
For more information contact Patricia Carney at (603) 650-3414.
