Hormone replacement therapy and the risk of cancer and heart disease have been in the news a lot lately.

I was and still am a participant in the Women’s Health Initiative study. I have not taken hormone replacement since the study saw an increase in heart disease and breast cancer in women taking this therapy. I fill out a yearly health report for tracking

Purposes. Women on the hormones doubled their risk of breast cancer. Hormone therapy has dropped 70% since the study revealed the risk of breast cancer and heart disease.

We are now beginning to see a decline in breast cancer for the first time in years. Yet, I read Hormone therapy remains a ”good health care choice to relieve moderate to severe menopausal symptoms” says a statement from Wyeth, which made the pills    in the study.  I sometimes wonder about pharmaceutical companies and the FDA

Here’s an important point to remember!

If you are picking up a drug prescribed to you that you have used in the past, but not currently, always ask to speak to a Pharmacist.

Just because you have used the medication before it may be assumed that you know all you need to know.

 However, if some of you other medications have changed, you may have a reaction.

The Pharmacist can do a check to be sure all is fine or not

Also, it’s always a good idea to check the labels and the contents of the bottles, before leaving. Do all you can to avoid mistakes that can and do happen!