Hi all you lovely people
I just got a provisional date for surgery come through quite unexpectedly as I am still waiting biopsy results. It's in just 12 days!
The plan was always a hysterectomy for multiple polyps, severe thickening of the lining at 47mm and fibroids. I have been told if it does come back with anything cancerous now then it will be delayed slightly for MRI, etc. I have a family history of uterine cancer and at age 47 this seems the best option for me as IUD not suitable.
I have not been through the menopause yet but had been on HRT for a few mild symptoms. My consultant has said as long at the histology comes back okay I can chose whether to keep my ovaries if I want to. I can't work out to what to do. I know they continue to secrete hormones at a low level for the rest of our lives, which can be beneficial for bones, etc. but I don't know whether keeping them is a risk for future cancer? Obviously if my biopsies come back with anything it will be out of my hands.
I am apprehensive about a sudden surgical menopause, especially when I've had no discussions with anyone about whether HRT will be an option post-op. But I also don't want to take unnecessary risks. I am also wondering if I could get my ovaries privately scanned regularly going forward if I keep them. has anyone had to make this kind of decision?
Hi Sparky
it can be a hard decision but I my feeling was to take out everything to do everything to reduce the risk of recurrence. I also have a family history of cancer.
With HRT sometimes it can be taken after the hysterectomy and sometimes it can't. It can depend on your detailed histology results. For me I was hormone positive so if I took it then it could possibly cause the cancer to recur. There are also different types of HRT- some may be more suitable than others. EG; topical. There are sometimes also other options to help with menopausal symptoms. It is something to talk through with your doctors. Sometimes it can be about risk vs benefit.
From my understanding ovarian cancer can be difficult to treat and whereas having a scan would hopefully pick up anything, if it did then the cancer would already be there- so it would find any cancer rather than prevent it. If that makes sense. There is a blood test - Ca125 that you could ask about and if the level rose it would be an indication that further investigation would be needed.
I had my surgery in 2022. I also had chemo and radiotherapy. I was told by my consultant it is better to do everything possible to reduce the risk of a recurrence, than to try to treat a cancer that has come back.
I can understand why you are concerned about having a surgical menopause and it is not an easy decision to make.
With regard to the bones- I discussed this with my CNS and take vitamin D and calcium.
I wish you well whatever you decide. if it would help why not give the Support Line a call and speak to one of the nurses.
Jane
