HABITS Trial

This trial investigated the use of a course of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) for a period of up to 2 years in peri and postmenopausal women who were experiencing bothersome menopausal symptoms (hot flushes, night sweats and vaginal dryness).

This trial was terminated following the safety analysis of the research at the end of 2003.

The Hormone Replacement therapy After Breast cancer Diagnosis - Is It Safe (HABITS) findings showed that even short term use (up to two years) of HRT poses an unacceptably high risk for women exposed to hormonal therapy compared with breast cancer survivors allocated to receive best symptomatic treatment without hormonal therapy for menopausal sysmptoms.  

The trial was stopped early because of this information and women randomised to HRT were recommended to discontinue use.  All participants will continue to be followed for life.  Alternative safe and effective strategies for the uncomfortable problem of menopausal symptoms in these women need to be developed.