Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: StormyNight on December 09, 2021, 12:23:19 PM
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Hi all,
Super stressed and first time posting.
I’ve been on Evertol Sequi now for 5 months, I’m 48 and my sister whose 40 has just been diagnosed with triple negative BC, I had an aunt die at 49 years ago with BC, I’ve rang the docs and their advice is to stop HRT immediately, I rang the breast clinic and again was advised to stop.I have an appointment in February to discuss, I’m waiting to hear if my sister has the BRAC1-2 gene.
lve been looking online for alternatives, the doc could only offer antidepressants??
being on HRT has changed my life, no more mood swings, hot flashes etc, I’m so happy, but now I don’t know what to do, can anyone please advise me, I’m going crazy not knowing what to do, I’ve read there’s a 1 in 7 chance of getting BC anyway but last night I read my chances have increased to 75%… what’s anyones thoughts on this, has anyone got some real advice or experience.
Many thanks in advance, I’m not sleeping and stressing my head off :-(
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Hi there,welcome to the forum,my mum,her sister and their mum all had BC and had mastectomies,hence the reason I didn't take HRT when I hit the meno BUT after being on this site for a few years, I wish knew then,what I know now,there are a few women on here who have had BC and still take HRT,please look at Dr Newson on YouTube,she explains all the different kinds of HRT you can take if BC is a worry,if I'd found this site sooner, I think I would have opted for HRT but like you, I was advised by Drs that I shouldn't and it's simply not the case,sadly so many GPs aren't really clued up on menopause and still give out old advice. Have a good look round this forum and pop your worries in the search box or indeed send an email here to Dr currie (fee involved)
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Yeah, Dr. Newson released a new article on this only yesterday I think on her site. Good luck.
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Hi StormyNight. Sorry to hear you have this worry & in common with other women on here with a family or personal history of breast cancer & a long & difficult menopause, I really sympathise with your dilemma - it's a horrible situation to be in. As you're understandably very stressed & struggling to process the shock of your sister's diagnosis & the medical advice you've now received, I wonder whether until you've had a chance to find out more about your own personal risk, you may feel less worried tapering off HRT for now?
The situation with HRT & breast cancer is complex & personal risk needs to be evaluated on an individual basis, but is said to be elevated if family history includes cases of early onset BC (pre-menopause). You say the breast clinic have advised you to stop & if this is with in depth knowledge of your family/personal history I think I would be inclined to take their advice for now, bearing in mind this may change when more is known about your sister's case & whether that affects your personal risk. You may then be better placed to make a more informed choice.
Meanwhile here are some links to the BMS list of approved alternatives to HRT, to the NICE guidelines on management of women with FH breast cancer & to a Newson Health leaflet. If you use the Balance library search facility it should also bring up a number of articles & podcasts on breast cancer & HRT.
I hope all goes as well as possible for your sister & that you will soon be in a better position to decide how to manage your symptoms for the future.
https://thebms.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Prescribable-alternatives-to-HRT-01EE.pdf
https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/breast-cancer-managing-fh/
https://balance-menopause.com/uploads/2021/09/Family-History-of-Breast-Cancer-FINAL2.pdf
https://www.balance-menopause.com/news/
Wx
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DO NOT STOP! weaning off is important if necessary.
Quality of Life is important. U should get a face2face appt with your HRT provider if possible B4 your Feb. appt., as one should never stop medication suddenly. MayB ask for a full breast examination yourself, with ultra sound scans ..........
How long B4 the BRAC1-2 gene results are back? With this time of year there are enough stressors ...... if HRT is currently keeping symptoms at bay, stopping then finding out that the current regime doesn't work as well :-\.
It is a shock for all of the family. How likely in reality are you like to get breast cancer which may/not be triggered by HRT. It may be that your particular regime won't alter your breast condition. Is it possible for you all to be under the same Consultant who can liaise with the Doctor you saw for your HRT prescription?
When I had breast disease once I began treatment I felt that I was getting rid of the 'bad'.
Would you consider bilateral mastectomy in order to continue with the regime?
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Hi again, sorry didn't have all the information I wanted to post earlier. The following link has details of various support groups including for hereditary & triple negative breast cancers.
https://www.royalberkshire.nhs.uk/featured-services/berkshire-cancer-centre/types-of-cancer/
Wx
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Hi Stormynight
I was advised not to take HRT for similar reasons. I think if you’ve been advised to stop, as you are very stressed and not sleeping, maybe stop until you have more information, have been able to research more fully and take advice, and can make a calm and considered decision. You will be better placed to make your decision once things have calmed down and the shock of your sister’s diagnosis has receded a bit.