SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 23, 1995 -- Women at high risk for coronary heart disease or osteoporosis may be the ideal beneficiaries of long-term hormone replacement therapy (HRT), according to research presented this week at a special meeting of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).

But researchers cautioned that HRT used for many years could increase the risk of breast cancer.

"The question is still scientifically up in the air and until we have a clear perspective on the situation, we must share our uncertainties and concerns with our patients," said Dr. Isaac Schiff, professor of Gynecology at Harvard Medical School. "And along with our patients, we must squarely and solemnly face a decision-making process that weighs short- and long-term gains versus short- and long-term risks."

Because of conflicting information about breast cancer risk, NAMS convened a panel of 10 of the country's leading experts on various aspects of long-term HRT at a special colloquium prior to the start of their sixth annual meeting held in San Francisco September 21-23.

Trudy Bush Ph.D., a professor at the University of Maryland at Baltimore School of Medicine, stated that despite 38 studies on the subject, "We really don't know how much, if any, HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, and it's unlikely that more studies will be able to tell us."

Dr. Deborah Grady, an associate professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at the University of California in San Francisco, was more definite about the risk. She said that longterm use - 15 years - substantially increases the risk of breast cancer.

As an impartial resource on all aspects of menopause, the NAMS annual meeting attracted 1,100 physicians and allied health professionals from more than 50 countries. Later this year, NAMS will be embarking on an intensive health education campaign for both consumers and providers later this year.

The need is pressing given the following statistics presented at the program:

* Women over age 45 represent 45% of the annual 1.3 billion physician/patient contacts.

* Currently women constitute 59% of the U.S. population over age 65 and 72% of the over 85 population.

* By the year 2000, there will be more than 50 million American women over age 50.

Founded in 1989, NAMS is the country's only nonprofit organization dedicated to furthering the knowledge of the climacteric and improving the care of menopausal women. Its 2,000 members include leaders from around the world in the field of menopause, including physicians, nurses, scientists, anthropologists, sociologists, epidemiologists, dietitians and psychologists. The diversity of its membership allows NAMS to be the preeminent resource on all aspects of the climacteric to both healthcare professionals and to the public.

CONTACT: Fran Arman, 216-467-5229