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[Bobidy]

Thanks Hurdity (as always) for the fab info, and racjen for sharing your personal experience.

I also think that in the same way as I have started to blame each new twinge and ache etc on this damned peri meno, sometimes I do rationally know it can't all be down to that. My body will naturally just get these things.

I think hrt / breast cancer is the same. If a woman takes hrt and then gets breast cancer then the first thought is "the hrt must be to blame", but again rationally it could have been going to happen anyway for a number of unrelated reason. All the research in the world can't establish it's the hrt surely?

I'm definately going to continue on hrt (in the process of tweeking at the mo) and hope to take for as long as possible. I'm also going to continue under the care of Dr Newson until I'm totally confident that my current (uninformed) gps are capable of providing me with the same level of care. She is doing some amazing work to benefit us all for years to come. X

[Jeana1]

Hi ladies

I have read through all of the posts and still none the wiser about what decision I should make, I'm not great with reading all the research as it actually confuses me more, I think I will discuss it with my gynecologist on my next appointment mid September. Maybe I am being naive but it was mentioned here that some private consultants may be speaking out against or maybe not against the research but are more "pro" the benefits of HRT because it would affect their pay packet if women stopped taking it, i would have thought that HRT is only a part of their daily appointments and have many other duties, i would like to think whether they are private or NHS they would still be professional and have the best interest of their patients over profit, maybe i'm to trusting.

I started HRT to help with crippling anxiety, health anxiety and depression, so bad I could not leave the house, I was put on various "head med's" which for me did not work and made this worse due to side effects ( I am not knocking antidepressants as i know they have been a life saver for many people) I was also prescribed Valium which I took every day for 18 months and have now tapered off, this has left me with benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome which is awful but getting better. For me personally the HRT has given me my life back, I am still not fully there yet but have made a vast amount of progress since starting HRT and I continue to improve.

Personally I hope my Consultant (who is both private and NHS) reassures me, I don't want to come off it because I don't want to go back to the dark place I was in before I started it.

Jeana

[Hurdity]

Thanks for the links Hurdity. Here's another one from the same year as the Finnish study, 2016.

https://thebms.org.uk/2016/08/breast-cancer-now-study-finds-effect-combined-hrt-breast-cancer-risk-likely-underestimated/

X

Thanks for that Jari - I only posted the link to the Finnish study because several were asking where orrla's summary came from (paisley I see you linked to it too and you must have posted your link as I was writing my lengthy post - sorry I didn't acknolwecdge you there!). The individual studies do tend to conflict with each other - because there are so many variables and as always we really do need specific information about the effect of bio-identical transdermal HRT on breast cancer incidence (and biology) gained from randomised controlled trials.

The BMS/RCOG responded to the study you linked to here:
https://thebms.org.uk/2016/08/bmsrcog-response-breast-cancer-now-generations-study-hrt-use-breast-cancer-risk/.

I'm absolutely with you always re lifestyle changes - diet, weight, exercise, alcohol - keep within normal BMI range and upper or lower end (of the normal range) is OK depending on your frame size but also how much muscle you have too. HRT alone is not the only way to potentially help improve our health and well-being!

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Jeana1 - yes I would expect that first and foremost private consultants would be informed by the science otherwise they would be up for criticism. Most of the private gynaes are either published research scientists or extensively interpret and refer to it.

Please try not to worry - most of the (medical) responses refer to quality of life and some specifically to the debilitating effects and dangers of menopausal depression.

I am so pleased to hear how well you are doing on HRT and surely this is what matters now? You have decide to accept the potential small increase in risk of breast cancer in favour of the benefits you are experiencing. I don't think this recent news changes the balance diagram on this site here where the risks and benefits are simply portrayed by age with balance scales: https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/balance.php. The balance will be further tipped one way or the other depending on your own personal risk factors and potential benefits.

Good luck with your appointment and I do hope you will be reassured and stay well in the meantime

Hurdity x

[Jari]

Hi Jeana,
I only speak from my own experience of paying to see a « specialist », which turned out to be a disaster and hence, why I don’t trust them.

Maybe I was just unlucky and I’m sure there are good ones out there, just like there are good GP’s out there etc.

I think we just have to go with our own gut feelings and assess what is right for us as individuals.

Good luck with it. X

[bear]

Hi Jeana1,

Don't let my personal views cloud yours. Your Consultant will probably explain everything you need to know to help you decide your next move. If you feel much better on HRT, that's great. If you are being monitored (scans and mammogram), you'll be fine. Risks are relative, even if this study has shown a slight increase in absolute risks, they have not considered all the factors than can affect those risks, for the simple reason that not all studies published so far and used in these analyses have those data.

Everything in life is risky, no one can control all the factors. Rest assured that this same sort of discussion happens everyday regarding other types of drugs for all sorts of ailments. Even paracetamol can cause serious liver damage if not taken correctly. That's why knowledge is so important. As mentioned above, even prominent doctors say we have to be their partners when it comes to discuss our health instead of expecting a paternal approach.

BeaR.

[bear]

Still reading 57 pages of the Supplementary Appendix of this study... I need a lie down 

BeaR.

[Sparrow]

Have a G&T.  You won't care what it says then. 

[Lanzalover]

 


Lanzalover x

[CLKD]

 

I had to copy this as I couldn't read the print, it's too small 

Hi Ladies

I emailed Dr Karen Morton (consultant gynecologist) this morning about the HRT study and told her I was very worried about it, here is the reply she sent me.

Dear Jeana, I am sure you are not the only woman who listened to the Radio 4 broadcast with anxiety. I sometimes wonder what the press would do without these sort of studies to raise alarm about. I inset here the response that a colleague of mine, Dr Peter Greenhouse has written to the Editor of the programme wishing that the whole picture was better portrayed.

 'To the Editor I hope you will have someone authoritative speaking in response to Prof Val Beral's Lancet study. Nobody should alter their HRT regime or consider not starting HRT because of this research because: 1. Women who take HRT are less likely to DIE of breast cancer than those who've never taken it
2. Women who take HRT and do develop breast cancer have a significantly better 10 year survival (80%) than those who've never taken it (64%)

3. Women who take HRT have a lower all-cause mortality than those who've never taken it - due mostly to a substantially reduced risk of death from heart attack

4. The risks of being denied HRT far outweigh any from taking it, as there is a “Mortality Toll” from HRT avoidance

These four simple messages should be offered to the public with equal emphasis to the information from the Oxford group Lancet study.'

So Jeana, I hope that reassures you. I do not think you should change anything, but of course, like all women, be vigilant about self examination and having your regular mammograms. Very best wishes, Karen


I thought in the early hours: are all breast cancers apparently triggered by HRT ? 

How does 1 know they are affected by oestrogen  which apparently mine was.  I had used HRT for 4 months years++ prior to finding the lump.  It was never seen on mammo.. [I never thought to ask how the Surgeon knew ......... .  I did ask to see the slides but that request was denied].

Why aren't women told to have bilateral mastectomy at a certain age, i.e. mid-50s, in case they need HRT?  Sorted? 

Is it that women are monitored more when they take HRT so any breast disease is caught early?

Do women on HRT who have breast disease diagnose, die from cancer? 

Clear as mud 

[CLKD]

I read the article in the Telegraph yesterday: not happy with the way that is written either  .  Will need to read it again.

[bear]

Have a G&T.  You won't care what it says then. 

Alcohol? Nooooooo  I already have a lot of risk factors     

BeaR.

[kdee69]

@Hurdity. You are amazing. 

That is all.

[CLKD]

I'm amazing too  .......... not every day but most 

[bear]

We all are amazing, menopause survivors. 

BeaR.