Oestrogen Patch HRT

Heya, 

Do you know if your cancer was oestrogen receptor positive or not? If you don't know, is there someone you could ask? 

Personally, as mine was positive then if I ever had a hysterectomy then they either wouldn't allow my any oestrogen based products, or would strongly advise against it as it could cause a recurrence in me. So I'd not take anything oestrogen based personally. 

So definitely worth a chat with your cancer team, whoever you have access to, to see if it's OK for you or not. 

Lass

Xx

Hi Lass,

I was under the understanding my cancer was oestrogen driven and my surgeon did originally say she wouldn’t recommend HRT, but that was after my first surgery removing a cyst and an ovary but before my radical hysterectomy. It was said to me when we were trying to find a way of preserving my fertility. But now it’s all gone, so to speak, I’m not sure how it stands.

I did say to the doctor today all of the above but he said that just the oestrogen alone should be okay for me.

That’s why I’m a bit confused by it all. Maybe I’ll call my CNS tomorrow and have a chat, see what she thinks given she knows my notes and situation.

Hmmm...

Heya, 

I believe that testing cells and tumours to see if they are oestrogen receptor positive is quite a recent development. So it might be that the menopause clinic doctor isn't uptodate on what it does and what it means.

I asked lots of questions about HRT, hysterectomies, and the coil before I picked my route. So I was told that there's a risk when your cancer is oestrogen receptor positive, that excess/extra oestrogen can create a recurrence. So any tiny, single, remaining cell could be 'triggered' by the oestrogen. So they'd strongly recommend I lose weight, which I'm working on as fat cells produce oestrogen, and wouldn't give me oestrogen based HRT as even after a full hysterectomy the risk would be too high.

I believe there are progesterone based HRT products though, and those might work and be suitable for you?

But I'd def ring your nurse and have a chat with them about everything and to get a better picture and understanding of your case and what they do and don't recommend. 

Fingers crossed something productive comes from it! 

Lass

Xx

thanks lass, 

I had external radiotherapy and hdr brachy after my surgery, to mop up any stray bits and bobs and thankfully it hadn’t spread to any other organs or lymph nodes. So I’m wondering if it’s now safer for the HRT. 

I’ll ask my CNS tomorrow and see what she thinks. Thanks for the advice though, much appreciated! Xx

Hi Chelby,

I'm with Lass on this one. Get some more advice from someone who knows.

My own daughter had breast cancer brought on by IVF, they think. (They are injected with huge amounts of oestrogen) After an operation, chemo and radiotherapy, they advised her to have her ovaries out to prevent anything else happening. (to reduce oestrogen in her body) She did this 2 years later. She is 6 years out from the cancer now, and seems to cope with the menopause symptoms.

I, myself, had a late miscarriage in my 20's and really suffered for the following 3 months while my body sorted itself out. I had spells losing my balance, feeling sick, feeling as if I had no energy, and of course, the weeps. I realise now that the weeps was partly hormonal, and not all psychological.! I vowed then I would never mess with hormones again, so when I reached menopause and was offered HRT, I refused. I decided my body could sort itself out naturally, which it did. I was warned that osteoporosis might result, but so far, so good and I am now 75!! By the way, my daughter has regular tests for that.

Really hope you get more advice on this. xxxxxx

Hey Chellby,

My cancer was oestrogen receptive and I was grade 1 stage 1a and had a hysterectomy with ovary removal. My surgeon advised against HRT in my case but when I went to the menopause clinic they suggested HRT, I asked them if they could discuss it with my gynaecologist oncologist and he agreed I could try it, I discussed it with him (for my case) at my check up appointment and he said that his immediate reaction is always saying no but that if someone is having real issues with menopause (I am) then the benefits can out weigh the risks. I personally wasn't happy with taking the risk so I'm trying fluoxetine now, it's an anti depressant which is also believed to help with hot flushes. I've just had a dose increase so need to wait a couple of weeks to see if it works (it takes 4-6 weeks to get into your system) but I do feel better than I did a few months ago (which was rock bottom).

I was worried about bone health without HRT so I've been taking a good multivitamin which includes calcium and my gp is arranging regular bone scans.

I hope that you can get some reassurance from your CNS, please just ask if you want more information on what's been happening with me, eiether here or in a pm.

lots of love

xxx