Cancer Articles (Dr. S.N White)

Would the doctor prescribe estrogen if my ovaries were removed because of cancer?  No. If there is any sign of a cancerous condition, estrogen would probably not be prescribed.  What is the estrogen controversy?  Estrogen is a female hormone produced by the ovaries. Scientists have also developed chemical estrogen. Both regulate the development of female sexual characteristics. For a number of years, estrogens have been prescribed for women during and after menopause to make up for the decline in this hormone normally produced by the ovaries. Estrogen has been found helpful in relieving symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, in overcoming drying of vaginal tissues and in retarding osteoporosis (thinning of bones). However, the use of estrogen during and after menopause has been linked to an increase in endometrial cancer (cancer of the lining of the uterus), and it may be linked to other cancers as well. At this time,scientists do not agree a...

I am postmenopausal; is it true that estrogen is good for my heart?  This is a difficult question to answer, as estrogens have both positive and negative effects in postmenopausal women. Considerable research has suggested that estrogen is protective; however, recent studies have shed doubt on that conclusion, so this remains a controversial issue. There is some concern that prolonged use of estrogen may increase the risk of breast cancer. It is known that estrogen can increase blood triglyceride levels in about 10 percent of susceptible women and this can increase the risk of a heart attack. Women on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) also have an increased blood clotting tendency. It is important to work with your doctor on this complex question, since the answer is not clear cut.