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[babyjane]

Just found out a friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She is my age. She chose HRT to maintain her energy and wellbeing as she has a responsible job, family and likes to travel. Now this.

Could it be related? I think I am glad that I decided against going down the HRT route 

[honeybun]

Sorry to hear about your friend BJ. I hope she makes a full recovery.

The increased risk of breast cancer from using HRT is absolutely tiny. Of course there is the increased risk but I feel for me it is quality over quantity.

Honeyb
x

[CLKD]

Only a Consultant can tell her if there is a link.  In the meantime has she felt well? because she could have got knocked over by a bus …… it's a shock.  What type of tumour and treatment is she being offered?

[Rowan]

Some info

Is there a link between HRT and breast cancer risk?

Taking HRT (hormone replacement therapy) after the age of 50 is associated with a small increased risk of developing breast cancer. The type you take and how long you take it for may affect the risk, and the risk also reduces over time once you stop taking HRT.

Combined HRT (oestrogen and progestogen) accounts for six extra cases of breast cancer in every 1,000 women who take it for five years between the ages of 50 and 59. There appears to be no increased risk if it's taken for less than three years. Oestrogen-only HRT has a lower risk than combined HRT.

Having a risk factor doesn't mean that a woman will develop breast cancer. And even if a risk factor is identified in a woman with breast cancer, there's no way of proving that this was the cause.

Return to frequently asked questions.

Content last reviewed August 2014; next planned review 2016

Last edited:

27 August 2014 

From  https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/breast-cancer-information/breast-awareness/frequently-asked-questions/there-link-between-hrt-breast-cancer-risk

[CLKD]

 

I had HRT for 3 months several years before a lump was removed which was oestrogen receptive.  Connection?  Too busy getting treatment to be concerned if there was a connection, I had made the decision at the time. 

Shock was the main problem initially then worrying if panic attacks would stop me going for treatment sessions 

[Winterose]

Breast cancer starts about 6 years before it can be detected and possibly earlier than that.  If you are genetically susceptible then HRT could aggravate it earlier than it may have appeared if no HRT was taken.  2 glasses of wine a day gives same risk and am sure there are many other contributers, I often wonder what hidden problems we got from taken the contraceptive pill.

[Rowan]

I have read its 10 years, even though I posted the above, I still have niggling thought about is as I have read such different opinions, and many cancer specialists have opposing views.

Estrogen cause cells to divide, progesterone inhibits  cell growth and limiting cell stimulation, yet it says in the report that estrogen only reduces risk.

I don't think the risks are really known.

[CLKD]

Wonder who works out these stats? which Company funds such rub….. 

My Surgeon told me that clinically the lump was 'non-sinster'.  After surgery he told me "I had in my hand what I expected to find" ….. 'lucky you' thought I, didn't know him well enough to say it out loud  .  At histology there were changes at the margins of the lump - he told me that he didn't know, had I not opted for surgery, where I 'would be in 18 months time'.  In other words, there was no way of knowing how long the lump - found on palpation and not film - had been there, and no way of knowing how fast it was likely to have grown.

My Mum had cancer - found at 65 on mammogram.  Mastectomy followed by 1 follow-up appt., then nowt.    

[babyjane]

Fortunately she is a doctor so was on the ball straight away and knew where to go for help. Stage one I believe whatever that is. Will know more after talking to her more.

[CLKD]

Hopefully she will get support from those working around her!  What has she opted for?

[babyjane]

radiation and a lumpectomy I think.

[CLKD]

Hopefully in the other order 

I had lumpectomy, 5 days later the Surgeon went in again to take more cells and lymph glands followed by precautionary radiation for 4 weeks.  I didn't begin radiation until the area had healed, about 7 weeks after surgery.  Took the whole of that hot Summer of 1995 the coolest place was in the X-ray dept. 

I needed to rest.  I carried on working.  I couldn't do any ironing so if she asks, you could offer 

[babyjane]

Yes I could couldn't I 

[tiger74]

I don't think the risks are really known.

Well said.  No-one can say for certain what causal factors contribute to anyone's case of breast cancer or how long a cancer has been present.  Some factors that have been suggested by some as contributory may be totally beyond our control anyway e.g. age of menarche, genetic variations.

Could it be related?

Nobody knows.  Believe me, if one tries to pin one's individual case of breast cancer down to specific causal factors one will go round and round in circles and it makes no difference to the fact that one has been diagnosed.  Best to use one's energy and resources to concentrate on getting oneself through treatment. 

[Dancinggirl]

I know two ladies who had very early stage breast cancer - one had a mastectomy with no further treatment and the other has just had the lumpectomy and radiation.  A third lady, a close friend, had aggressive breast cancer which resulted in mastectomy, chemo and radiation and she was then diagnosed with advance stage osteoporosis (she is only 55).  They all sailed through their menopause with barely a flush so didn't use HRT.  None had a family history of breast cancer, they are all slim and fit, don't smoke and drink alcohol in moderation.  The only risk factor I could link to all of them is considerable stress in their lives for various reasons.
When looking at potential triggers for cancer I personally think stress could be one of the top causes. Lack of sleep, feeling hot, flustered and out of control, palpitations, anxiety, aching joints and all the other meno symptoms are highly stressful.
I believe HRT actually reduces our risk of getting certain other cancers e.g. bowl cancer and it is well known that it can protect our bones and osteoporosis is a crippling long term problem for many.
At the moment Statins are being pushed by many doctors yet the side effects can be really nasty.
There will always be debate about pros and cons of many drugs and treatments and as time goes by there might be a way found to help us through the nasty side effects of the menopause without risks. Many GPs are quick to put menopausal women on SRRIs but if you read the information leaflet the warnings about feeling suicidal, drowsy, sedated, nauseas etc. are really alarming and yet there doesn't seem to be any concern about prescribing these.  How many suicides are there as result of people taking these and how many car accidents happen because someone doesn't realise they shouldn't be driving because the SSRIs are effecting them?
DG x