§ Mrs. Joyce Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what discussions she has had with general practitioners about prescribing hormone treatment for women, in the light of recent research in the United States of America showing a risk of cancer to women on oestrogen therapy; and if she will make a statement.
§ Dr. OwenThe Committee on Safety of Medicines has under consideration two studies published in the New England Journal of Medicine for 4th December 1975 which suggest that women taking certain oestrogen preparations after the menopause may be at an increased risk of developing a type of cancer of the uterus.
At the present time it is premature to draw any conclusion about the safety of oestrogen preparations as used in this country.
843WMy hon. Friend might like to know that the Medical Research Council has already set up a working group to explore the desirability and feasibility of conducting a survey of oestrogen replacement therapy in post-menopausal women.