While, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been said to carry serious health risks, however, a recent study adding to other evidence suggests menopausal women using it lower their risk of developing colon cancer.

Researchers followed nearly 57,000 California teachers for the study found, those using HRT at the outset of the study were over the next decade 36% less likely to develop colon cancer, than those who did not use HRT.

During the study period, of the 34,433 users of HRT, only 193 were diagnosed with colon cancer, compared with 151 among 13,778 women who did not use hormone replacements.

Researchers after accounting for the women’s age, weight, exercise levels and race, found HRT, either estrogen on its own or else a combination of estrogen and progestin, is linked to a lower colon cancer risk.

There is evidence linking colon cancer with obesity and a sedentary lifestyle, with the elderly and African-Americans most at risk of developing the condition.

The study’s findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology indicate estrogen protects against colon cancer.

Studies in the past have not only linked HRT, but also use of birth control pills to a lower colon cancer risk. In addition, lab experiments also show estrogen by affecting cell growth or by lowering a cancer-linked hormone called IGF-1 levels, inhibits tumour development in the colon.

However, this does not recommend women take HRT to ward off colon cancer, which millions of them stopped using following a 2002 US government study that found HRT given to post-menopausal women for relieving menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and vaginal dryness, place them at a higher risk of heart attack, stroke, breast cancer and blood clots.

As a result, experts now advise women should take the lowest dose of HRT for the shortest period possible.

The findings of this study do not alter that advice, but point out the need for further research on the different effects of HRT on specific organs.