The benefits of estrogen to the menopausal woman outweigh the risks of developing endometrial cancer.

According to animal, human, and laboratory data, the major, life-threatening risks to the woman from exogenous estrogens are neoplastic and cardiovascular. These risks are, to some extent, related to dose, duration of therapy, and certain predisposing individual factors. Except for endometrial carcinoma, the risks have not been adequately studied and are therefore not defined. Because of their potential magnitude collectively, no intelligent assessment of the risk-benefit ratios can be can be carried out until the effect, if any, on the susceptibility for breast carcinoma, ovarian carcinoma, and cardiovascular disease is determined.