June 2002

Dear [Estrogen-only trial participant]:

I am writing to tell you important news about the WHI Hormone Program. Although you are not in the Hormone Program, we want you to be aware of this new information. The enclosed "WHI HRT Update" describes this news.

The WHI Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) has recommended that all other WHI studies continue. The DSMB will continue to review the data every 6 months and we will inform you immediately if they have new recommendations.

• Please continue to participate in the WHI program(s) you joined. There are still many important questions to answer about women's health.
• Continue your regularly scheduled clinic contacts.

I have asked the Clinical Coordinating Center to send you this letter. More information is available in the attached "WHI HRT Update" and on the World Wide Web at: http://www.whi.org. Please share this information with your health care provider.

These results are enormously important and will inform millions of women and their doctors worldwide about the risks and benefits of estrogen plus progestin. The findings from this study could not have been predicted when we began in 1993. You are a vital part of the WHI, which is expected to influence medical care for current and future generations.

Thank you for your dedication, both past and future, to the Women's Health

Sincerely yours,