Article Abstract:
Women with a family history of breast cancer who have used oral contraceptives may have a higher risk of breast cancer than women with no family history. Women with the highest risk were those who used older brands of oral contraceptives, which contained higher doses of estrogen than newer brands.
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Article Abstract:
Exercise of any kind appears to lower the risk of death in postmenopausal women. A study of 40,417 postmenopausal women found that regular physical exercise reduced the risk of death from cardiovascular disease and respiratory illness by about 20% overall. The risk was reduced even more if the women exercised at least 4 times a week or if they engaged in vigorous activity. Even moderate activity once a week was associated with a significant drop in mortality.
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Article Abstract:
Women with a family history of breast cancer who take hormone replacement therapy (HRT) at menopause do not appear to be at increased risk for developing breast cancer and may actually be less likely to die of other causes. Rates of death, breast cancer, family history of breast cancer, and HRT use were analyzed among 41,837 midwestern women aged 55 to 69 years of age. Breast cancer rates were similar among women with a family history of breast cancer who either did or did not take HRT. Total death rates were nearly twice as high among women never taking HRT as those who had taken HRT for five years.
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