life-long estrogen therapy favoured

4 VIEWS & REVIEWS

Life-long estrogen therapy favoured 'Th~ prot~cti"~ natur~ 0/ ~strog~n on the cardio­

vascular syst~m should provide a strong im~tus lor lifelong (estrogen r~plac~mentl therapy in post­menopausal women,' say Drs Scott Fields and William Toffler, from Oregon, US.

They believe that by educating and encouraging patients to consider estrogen replacement therapy, doctors may make a substantial contribution to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women.

However, when considering therapy, Drs Fields and Toffler stress that it is important to balance risks vs benefits - estrogen is associated with endometrial cancer and an increased incidence of gall bladder disease. The relationship between estrogen replacement therapy and breast cancer is, however, still a matter of controversy. Fields SA. Toftler WL. Estrogen replacement therapy for reducing cardiovascular disease. Western lournal of Medicine 158: 515-516. May 1993 OOO2O.m

12 Jun 11193 INPHARUAe ISSN 0156-2703l9310612-0041$1 .00C AdletntMrlatlclMl Ltd