Daily Mail; London (UK) (Apr 12, 06:35 PM)  SOME forms of hormone replacement therapy carry a much smaller risk of breast cancer than had been feared, a U.S.study has found.

It says oestrogen-only HRT may even cut a woman's risk of developing the disease.

The findings contradict a UK survey last year which found a risk up to 30 per cent higher over 10 years.

Experts had already queried some results of the British Million Woman Study.

Dr John Stevenson, chairman of the independent Women's Health Concern charity and a member of the British Menopause Society council, welcomed the new findings as good news for women.

Oestrogen-only HRT is taken only by women who have had hysterectomies one in four of all HRT users. Around 60,000 hysterectomies are performed in the UK each year.

The American results come from a government-funded trial of Premarin a popular oestrogen-only drug run by the U.S. Women's Health Initiative.

The seven-year study of 11,000 women found there were actually fewer cases of breast cancer in those on HRT than those taking a dummy pill. There was also a 39 per cent cut in the risk of hip fractures, and no significant effect on coronary heart disease, colon cancer or pulmonary embolisms, where a blood clot travels to the lungs.

The results, to be published in a leading medical journal this week, included a 39 per cent higher risk of strokes, but Dr Stevenson said this would be lower for British women on HRT as they tended to be younger than those in the U.S. study.

He added: 'The data suggests the Million Women Study overestimated the risk of breast cancer with short- term HRT exposure.' The U.S. report says of oestrogen-only HRT: 'Women considering taking it should be counselled about an increased risk of stroke but can be reassured about no excess risk of heart disease or breast cancer for at least 6.8 years of use.

The WHI's parallel study into forms of HRT which combine the hormones oestrogen and progestogen was stopped three years early after it revealed higher risks of breast cancer, heart attack and stroke results reflected in the UK project.

In the last 18 months, up to half the estimated 1.7million British users of HRT have stopped treatment or are being weaned off it because of a succession of worrying research studies.

Karen Winterhalter, executive director of Women's Health Concern, said women who need HRT to cope with distressing symptoms such as sweats and mood swings should now feel confident about using it.

She said: 'No woman wants to live a miserable existence and now that 50 is the prime of life for many, women should be encouraged by this news about HRT.' Jo Marsden, a consultant breast surgeon who carries out menopause research, said the new research was more authoritative than the British study because it compared women using oestrogen with those taking placebo, or a dummy pill.

She said: 'The Million Women Study is an observational survey of women attending breast screening clinics. This can identify factors that influence disease outcomes but can be subject to bias.' The Department of Health said findings from the WHI trial would be reviewed by the Expert Working Group on HRT and information to doctors and patients updated as necessary.

What is HRT?

Hormone Replacement Therapy replaces hormones lost at the time of the menopause, to relieve distressing symptoms such as hot flushes.

Are there different types of HRT?

Yes, women who have had a hysterectomy will be given oestrogen- only HRT while women with a womb will get combined oestrogen and progestogen HRT.

Is HRT safe?

A number of studies have provided worrying evidence of health risks, but the latest suggests the oestrogen-only form is safer than previously thought.

What are the breast cancer risks?

Women taking combined HRT for ten years double their chances of breast cancer.

A UK study last year found the oestrogen- only form increases the risk by 25 per cent over ten years. But the latest U.S. study suggests that there is no extra risk with oestrogen-only HRT.

What are the other health risks for oestrogen-only HRT?

The seven-year study of 11,000 women found a 39 per cent higher risk of strokes, but no extra risk of life-threatening blood clots. There was a 39 per cent cut in the risk of hip fractures.

What about combined HRT?

Studies have pointed to a 29 per cent increase in heart attacks, a 41 per cent increase in strokes and a 22 per cent rise in cardiovascular disease.