Menopausal hormone therapy is not recommended due to which finding in the medical history?

• A. History of dermatitis
• B. History of breast cancer
• C. Multiple hospitalizations for COPD
• D. Concurrent treatment for GERD

Answer: (B)

Estrogen-containing menopausal hormone therapy is avoided when there is a history of breast cancer because estrogen can stimulate the growth of hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells. Even after treatment, residual cancer cells or a risk of recurrence may respond to estrogen, so giving systemic hormone therapy could promote cancer growth and complicate monitoring. That makes a past breast cancer the reason HRT would be contraindicated. Other options listed—dermatitis, COPD requiring hospitalization, or GERD—do not specifically implicate estrogen-sensitive breast cancer, so they don’t drive the decision to withhold therapy. When symptoms arise in someone with such a history, non-hormonal approaches are typically pursued, with careful guidance from a clinician.