HRT & Breast Cancer Risk

Hi Saun 

I am one of the community champions on the breast cancer pages. I don’t have any BRCA gene defects, but I noticed no one has responded as yet. I do know that BRCA 2 gene defects tend to be associated with oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer, so can see why breast surgery might be a high priority regardless of the potential impact of needing HRT post BSO. Hopefully others who have had surgery will come forward with information on the recommendations they received. 

Thank you, this is most helpful 

Hi,

I also have the Brca 2 gene, I found out following breast cancer after lump removal.

i chose to have a double mastectomy but that’s most likely because I had breast cancer removed earlier this year. But it is a HUGE decision and unsure if I would have chosen this if I hadn’t had BC before.

The other options for breasts are checks every 6 months, so whilst waiting on my operation I had a MRI for the breast, you would also get mamograms every 6 months. I hated the stress of waiting for results and most likely would have crumbled having to deal with that every 6 months personally.

Ovaries, so I have to have an ovarian suppression needle every month or you can choose the patch and that is until I go for the operation to remove the ovaries, I also have to take hormone blockers for 5/10 years on top of this but recently stopped due to painful stomach pains as a side effect. So if you don’t want surgery I suspect you take medication and the injection until you choose to as I understand.

i haven’t asked the other options if I wasn’t to choose ovarian surgery but I am sure you are able to contact your team to arrange another appointment as these are huge decisions to make!

Hope iv been of any help! 

Hi

Thank you so much for sharing.  This is really helpful and I appreciate everything shared.  

The suppression needle isn't something I've heard of nor a 6 monthly mammogram.  

Thank you again for taking the time to share.

Glad to help,

I wasn’t expecting suppression needles either to be fair but it just goes into a pinch in your stomach and you're able to get regular bone scans too which is handy! They do this at Christie’s then your local Docters if you’re screamish like me, or you can do them yourself at home.

And regular breast checks every 6 months are available if you choose not to get the breast operation, or would like more time.

As mentioned I had the double mastectomy which was a really difficult decision but I was able to keep my nipples and the 75% chance of breast cancer has now reduced to 3%. 
The NHS will also cover my implants when needing to be replaced in the future I have had mine for 6 days now and really happy with the results so far. They size is similar to my previous size they just more perky now