estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer/ovaries remov
Again, just reading up and realise having your ovaries removed is an option for some women who haven't reached the menopause yet but who have oestrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer.
Just wondering has anyone had this done or talked this through with their medical team. From what I'm understanding its for women who are still producing oestrogen and it stops oestrogen production. I had chemotherapy and felt the full onslaught of the menopause and my bloods showed it was indeed that. Now, however, my periods are back to normal and usual cycle I've always had. I'm aware there are drugs that work by lowering or blocking the effects of oestrogen on breast cancer cells. But I don't want any more children and wonder is removing my ovaries a better, more permanent option. Going by my mum she was nearly 11 years older than I am now when she went into natural menopause.
Lots of questions on this one....will chat with my medical team on this but curious as usual, on other womens' experience.
Comments
Sunshine,
I am in medical menopause as part of a trial called SOFT suppression of ovarian function. There are three arms
- tamox only
- tamox plus ovarian suppression
- examesthane otherwise know as Aromastin plus ovarian suppression
I was randomised into the third arm.
I was nearly 40 at diagnosis and with a highly ER+ and PR+ tumour I sought inclusion in this trial. Trial has actually closed, I was one of the last candidates recruited.
Menopause has it's up and down. No periods 
but the standard side effects - flushes mine ain't too bad, joint pain tho mine is mild, loss of labido which is a pain.
Suggest youbask first about chemical suppression before deciding to have all the plumbing works out.
Lindylu
Sorry what's PR+? I'm still learning. Is that what I have my joint pain from, the menopause? I thought it was after effects of chemo or radiotherapy . God it's hard to keep up lol
Wicklowlady,
PR is progesterone. ER is oestrogen. Can't remember my exact stats but one is 95% and the other is 90%. Both high!
Are you on tamox or something that is an Aromataise Inhibitor eg Aromastin, Fermara,? I know AI's cause joint pain. But if you are still in chemopause then that may also be causing the joint pain.
I have been doing Pilates for the last 18 months and my joint pain is way way less.
Lindylu
Oh thanks. Learning all the time. No I was oestrogen negative. I was Her2+ so am on herceptin it could be that but only finished chemo end of December. I broke my leg five years ago and have had terrible pain in it which started midway through chemo. I'm limping around the place so don't know if I could do Pilates. Will go to the pool when the radiotherapy wears off . It's never ending
Hi Sunshine
I'll be having this done in a couple of months. I hadn't thought about it as an option rather than taking the tablets but it's been decided for me due to my previous history. I've had really bad endometriosis for years and fibroids. So due to the possible risks with tamoxifen with me and my dodgy womb, it's all to go shortly. I was shocked to hear it was being recommended but I've accepted it now. Not that I'm looking forward to the sudden menopause. I did ok through the chemo and with the tamox so far with only not too bad flushes, although 6 months in now with the tamox, I think the flushes are getting worse.
I'll let you know how it goes.
Jo