WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for May, 1997: Re: Roberta's Mother-In-Law Has a Question

Re: Roberta's Mother-In-Law Has a Question

From: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 31 May 1997 22:39:22 -0500 (CDT)

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At Sat, 31 May 1997, Bessie wrote: >
>I am presently taking Miacalcin. My physician prescribed this rather
>than placing me on hormone replacement therapy because of a family
>history of breast cancer as well as other types of cancers. Is
>miacalcin commonly prescribed? I often hear of HRT but not miacalcin or
>fosamax.
>I am visiting Bruce and Roberta from Tulsa and getting to see my
>wonderful grandchildren. Roberta showed me the Woman's Health Forum.
>This is very enlightening. Thanks so much. Bessie Speyer

Welcome to the club, Bessie. Depending upon your age, the family history of breast cancer may not be statistically relevant to you (in comparison to younger family members anad who and when the breast cancer was diagnosed). Therefore HRT may be appropriate.

Be that as it may, Fosamax has better overall statistics for osteoporosis than miacalcin. The only reason I'd consider Miacalcin is in patients who have gastrointestinal side effects from Fosamax (hiatus hernia). You don't say whether or not you have osteoporsis or if this medication is preventative. HRT has benefits in so far as :reduced osteoporosis, reduced heart disease, reduced Alzheimer's disease, reduced colon cancer, reduced urogenital atrophy (dryness in the vaginal area which can lead to urinary symptoms). There is a questionable increase in breast cancer. I write questionable because there are studies that show an increase, but there are also studies that show no difference and one or two studies which had actually shown a decrease. I have trouble believing that there is a decrease, but a study I read indicated that there was *decreased recurrence rates in breast cancer* in patients who had been placed on ERT/HRT at some period after their surgery.

Hope this helps.

-- Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D. FACOG, FACS OBGYN.net U.S. Representative, New York Great Neck, New York http://www.obgyn.net/states/bios/marchbein.htm http://www.obgyn.net/women/heroes/harveym.htm

*Note: Opinions expressed here are for educational purpose only. This information is not intended to supplant the need for you to consult with your physician prior to choosing therapeutic options.

Next message: Joanne: "Re: bone density"
Previous message: Harvey S. Marchbein, M.D.: "Re: Pregnancy detected on ultrasound"
In reply to: Bessie: "Roberta's Mother-In-Law Has a Question"

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