In the past, women took HRT not only to quell menopausal symptoms, but because we were told it could cut our risk of heart attack, and would keep us looking young. Well, we can ditch those latter two reasons; HRT doesn’t cut our risk of heart attack, and its ability to keep us looking young is questionable, too. But the fact is, HRT does minimize menopausal symptoms. Most likely at an increased risk of breast cancer. Decisions, decisions…

Drug manufacturers, chiefly Wyeth–maker of Premarin and Prempro, the most common HRT drugs–have reacted by selling lower-dose versions of HRT drugs, and advising women to take them for a shorter amount of time. Many doctors are urging their patients not to panic, but to take a good, hard look at how menopause is disrupting their life, vs. their chance of getting breast cancer or having a stroke.

Ask yourself: What are my existing breast cancer risks? If you haven’t had breast cancer, these may include family history, breast density, lifestyle, weight and activity level, all the things researchers have identified as putting a woman at increased risk.

If you’re a survivor, you know your risk, probably right down to the last decimal point. Then ask yourself, how is menopause affecting me? Am I having so many hot flashes I can’t get a good night’s sleep, and my work and family life is impaired? Do I feel so anxious I have trouble functioning? Is making love so painful that I just can’t do it anymore… and how does that impact both me, and my partner?

You may decide to play it entirely safe, and suffer through menopause no matter what the physical and emotional cost. Or you may decide that how awful you feel outweighs your cancer risk, so bring on those (low-dose) hormones. Either way, it’s YOUR decision, one of the most personal ones you’ll ever make. Don’t let the tide of public opinion drown out your own very important–and sensible–inner voice.

Read more on a New England Journal of Medicine study form April 2007 linking use of HRT to inreased breast cancer incidence.

Read more on the first HRT Award, of $1.5 million, awarded by a jury that found Prempro, Wyeth's hormone replacement therapy (HRT) drug, responsible for an Arkansas woman's.