Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in women with BRCA mutations or a history of breast cancer remains one of the most complex and debated topics in midlife care. In this session, Dr. Joanne Kotsopoulos will examine the current evidence surrounding MHT use in BRCA carriers and breast cancer survivors. She’ll review risk data, discuss differences between women at high genetic risk and those with a personal history of breast cancer, and clarify where guidance is evolving. Designed for clinicians navigating nuanced, high-stakes decision-making, this discussion will help translate emerging research into informed, individualized patient care.

Joanne Kotsopoulos, PHD is a Senior Scientist at the Women’s College Hospital, Professor at the University of Toronto, and holds a Canada Research Chair in Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Prevention. For over two decades, she has directed a unique, interdisciplinary research program aimed at identifying strategies that substantially reduce cancer risk and improve outcomes for BRCA carriers at high risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. This critical work continues to inform international guidelines for the management of high-risk populations while furthering our understanding of hereditary cancer development. Her innovative research program focuses on women’s health across their lifespan, particularly during the (peri)menopausal transition, which is particularly complex in BRCA carriers given their predilection to develop early onset cancers and to undergo surgical menopause before age 45, impacting fertility, quality of life, and overall health. As Hereditary Cancer Advisory Co-Lead, she leads knowledge translation efforts to educate healthcare providers and patient populations with evidence-based clinical, support, and education programs for women with a hereditary predisposition. Finally, she is dedicated to teaching and mentoring students at various stages of their academic careers.