Abstracts » Health

The use of estrogens and progestins and the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women

Article Abstract:

The addition of progestins to estrogen replacement therapy does not appear to lower the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. The Nurses' Health Study followed 121,700 registered nurses from 1976 to 1992. The nurses received questionnaires every two years asking about menopause, hormone replacement therapy use, and breast cancer diagnosis. The percentage of the nurses taking progestin alone or with estrogen rose from 18% in 1986 to 30% in 1990. Researchers found that progestins added to estrogen therapy did not decrease the incidence of breast cancer. Furthermore, estrogen by itself or with progestin and progestins alone seem to increase the risk of breast cancer. Women should weigh the risk of breast cancer when deciding on long-term hormone replacement therapy.

Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Breast cancer, Hormone therapy, Postmenopausal women

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Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Relation to Risk of Ischemic Stroke

Article Abstract:

Eating fruits and vegetables may lower the risk of stroke. Researchers analyzed the link diet and stroke in 75,596 women in the Nurses' Health Study and 38,683 men in the Health Professionals' Follow-up Study. Over an 8- to 14-year period, 366 women and 204 men had a stroke. Those who ate the most fruits and vegetables every day had a 30% lower risk of having a stroke than those who ate the least. Green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and brussel sprouts were the most beneficial, as were citrus fruits and citrus fruit juice.

Stroke (Disease), Stroke, Vegetables, Fruit, Fruits (Food)

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