Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[vickypk]

Since the articles in the newspapers regarding the HRT scare, as I have had 3 precancerous breast lumps removed, the last being over 10 years ago.  I have started to worry a bit regarding breast cancer.

I have been on HRT patches a year now and do feel a lot better than I was, as I had many bad symptoms with the menopause.  I am able to do so much more again on HRT.

I don't want to stop the HRT at the moment, but just feel I am playing with fire!

If anyone could give me some advice please.

Thanks

[CLKD]

If you read here Dr Currie has posted a response to reassure ladies who are taking HRT.  There is a long thread about the latest 'advice' which is quite flawed in it's presentation.  Sorry to tired to do a link right now …….. have a browse.

It is now at the top of the 'page' …. in ALL THINGS MENOPAUSE


Remember: quality of Life is important!

[vickypk]

Thanks for you reply CLKD.

I know I shouldn't be on HRT really as I was told by breast specialist many times that my lumps were estrogen receptive.

[Hurdity]

I think you need to contact your specialist and discuss your concerns with him/her. You haven't said what patches you are using and how old you are/how long on HRT, how long since menopause or if you were peri-menopausal when starting HRT? If an oestrogen receptive cancer is already present then my understanding is that the oestrogen part of any HRT will make them grow quicker but the evidence does not suggests it actually causes cancer. The latest information confirms that it is the progestogen component of HRT that maybe actually increase the risk of some breast cancers. As always information is incomplete and not based on actual trials and not specific to types of HRT.  As well as being posted on this forum as CLKD says, if you go to the news page of this website you will see the two statements about the latest research. (news is found at Top tab - "MORE").

Did you have biopsies of the lumps and did the consultant say what type of lumps they were? I also presume you are having regular checks?

Try not to worry but do take advice and talk to someone knowlegdeable in the profession if you are worried - ideally a menopause specialist.

Hurdity x

[vickypk]

Thanks for your reply Hurdity.
I am 59 and had three breast lumps in 2005, 2006 and 2007.  I had them all removed with lumpectomies the last operation was bigger as the consultant had to remove more of the breast tissue as they kept growing back in the same area.  They were all atypical ductal hyperplasia.  I was advised if it comes back again I will have to have a mastectomy and also i was advised not to take HRT.  My last period was at 54. 
I did see Prof Studd 3 years ago and he advised it was okay to take HRT and he said that all breast lumps were estrogen receptive.  I tried his regime of the gel, utrogestan and testim for a few months but didn't get on with that very well.
A year ago I went to my GP and started using the Evorel conti patches and seem okay with that. 
I do go back for check-ups every year with my breast specialist, but at the moment, I know it is silly I have missed a year.
I just feel in a bit of a muddle with it all.  As I feel so much better over the last year I am afraid if i stop the HRT and I will go back to the way I was with all those horrible menopause symptoms.
I am going back to my GP in a couple of weeks for a check up.

[dahliagirl]

Hi - this site tells you a bit more about ductal hyperplasia.

https://www.breastcancercare.org.uk/information-support/have-i-got-breast-cancer/benign-breast-conditions/hyperplasia-atypical-hyperplasia

[vickypk]

Thanks dahliagirl
Thanks for your reply and the link about ductual hyperplasia. 
x

[CLKD]

Did the lumps removed go for histology, I'm a bit lost (as usual  )

Quality of Life is important.  One might get run over by a bus B4 cancer begins ;-).

[vickypk]

Hi CLKD

Thanks for your reply.
Yes all three lumps were tested by needle biopsies when they first appeared and then when they were removed surgically they were all sent for histology and the results showed there were all Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia 

What it is confusing for me the breast specialist tells me never to touch HRT and the menopause specialist tells me it is fine to use HRT!!

xx

[CLKD]

What does the Oncologist suggest? 

As stated in my query thread that I started yesterday, have any of your Medics suggested, that in order to minimise future breast disease which maybe caused by HRT, that breasts should be removed? 

How do you feel generally, are your symptoms bad enough for you to seek treatment?

[vickypk]

Hi CLKD
I had all those lumps removed a few years ago I am just monitored now yearly by my breast specialist.

I have only been taking HRT for a year, the lumps were not connected to HRT, as I wasn't on it at that time.

My breast specialist says never take HRT and menopause specialist says it's okay.

It is up to me whether I continue with HRT I know.
Thanks
x

[CLKD]

Wouldn't it be nice and helpful if we had a informed decision by medics instead of them causing us to worry because they can't decide! ? ! …….