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High oestrogen/ ER+

Dawn24
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Hello, received my biopsy results on Monday following a fluke breast cancer find after I signed up to a BRAID study (an ABB MRI) for women with dense breast tissue. Am 50yrs old with very high oestrogen levels (ranging from 1300 and 2198 during a serious of blood tests)

Left breast, Stage 2, grade 2, ER+

Have a 2nd MRI booked for next week (surgeon wanted some addition checks of other breast) and surgery (lymph nodes and waiting to find out if lumpectomy or mastectomy) planned for 29th.

New to this and scared. Given my high oestrogen levels, does this increase the risk of future reoccurrence? If that is the case, would a mastectomy mitigate that risk? 

  • Dear 

     

    Thanks for getting in touch and welcome to the online community, I hope you find it supportive. My name is Gillian and I’m one of the Cancer Information Nurse Specialists on the Macmillan Support Line.

    I see you have already joined a couple of our forums here at the online community I hope you are finding it a supportive place to visit.

    I am sorry to hear of your recent Breast cancer diagnosis, I understand it can seem scary having lots of ongoing investigations and uncertainty about what surgical procedure you will require going forward.

    This information from Breast cancer now gives information on both surgical procedures, mastectomy and lumpectomy. There are advantages and disadvantages of the different types of surgery to consider when choosing between breast conserving surgery and mastectomy.

    You mention your breast cancer is Stage 2, grade 2, ER positive  meaning the cells of this type of breast cancer have proteins (receptors) that allows them to use the hormone oestrogen to grow. Hormone therapy may be suggested, hormone therapies work by stopping oestrogen from stimulating the cancer cells to grow and divide.

    I can understand you would want to know what effect your oestrogen levels may have on your treatment outcome. This is not something that can be easily identified, and I have found very little research to help answer your question. This is partly because each cancer diagnosis and treatment plan is unique to the individual, so it is hard to generalise. Speaking to your oncologist or specialist nurse directly may help as they have all your medical information.

    Here at the Macmillan support line, we provide generalised cancer information and emotional support.  We are separate from all healthcare services and can’t access patient records to be able answer your question about your treatment specifically.

    I hope you find this helpful, and if you’d like to chat over this or anything else we’d be happy to hear from you on the number below. Alternatively, you’re welcome to contact us through our online chat too.

     

    Best wishes 

     

    Gillian, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or email us. 

    Ref /GG

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