Some very big news out today… the breast cancer rate decreased 7.2% in 2003. (Yes, 2003 data is just being released).

This decrease comes after years of increasing rates.

Naturally experts don’t know absolutely why. But the speculation is that it’s largely due to the dramatic decrease of Hormone Replacement Therapy.

It was 2002 when the Women’s Health Initiative study was released. That study showed a link between HRT use and breast cancer. Doctors had estimated that about half the women on HRT stopped after the study was released.

Time will show if the new direction of this trend sticks.
2004 stats are due out in April, 2007.