Millions of middle aged women could face lingering health risks years after taking hormone replacement therapy, according to a new health study.

Many women who took hormones after menopause stopped taking them after research linked the drugs to heart disease, stroke and cancer.

But new research shows that even though the risk goes down within weeks for heart disease and stroke, the risk of breast cancer is still there more than three years later.

"When women hear there's still a slight increased risk of breast cancer even though they are off hormones, that's concerning," Dr. Joanne Pinkerton of the University of Virginia said. "It's concerning to everyone."

Experts recommend annual mammograms for anyone at risk.