Alva Review-Courier -

CHICAGO (AP) — Taking hormone pills for several years after menopause didn't shorten older women's lifespans, according to the longest follow-up yet of landmark research that transformed thinking on risks and benefits of a once popular treatment.

That research was halted early when unexpected harms were found from using replacement hormones — estrogen alone or with progestin — versus dummy pills for five to seven years. More breast cancer, heart attacks and strokes occurred in women on combined pills, and those on estrogen pills had more strokes.

But about 18 years of follow-up show that despi...