High Risk BC and the Menopause
HI, Im new here, I am 55 and really struggling with the menopause.
I undergo a yearly mammogram due to BC in the family. My biological mother died of BC at the age of 46, my sister had BC at 50, but is in remission. I have been advised that both cases were not the genetic BC.
My Gynecologist in Germany suggested I take a plant based HRT medication, but I feel this is not really helping with my symptoms and I am really considering HRT, but I really do not understand the risks and which HRT would best suit me.
Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Comments
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Hi @lloydy69, Menopausal symptoms can be troublesome. I used a combination of black cohosh and red clover which helped but did not completely eliminate them.
While oral HRT is often very effective the estrogen can drive the growth of breast cancer. About 80% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive which means the cancer cells have receptors to which estrogen binds stimulating their growth. Using HRT statistically raises the risk of developing breast cancer but your age and the length of time you use it are also factors. Topical estrogen vaginal cream is systemically safer and often helps enough.
Only 5 to 10% of those with breast cancer have a genetic risk. All the best with your decision.
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I took HRT for several years (lowest dose of an estrogen/progesterone med called PremPro in U.S.) and it totally relieved my menopause symptoms. However I’m also convinced it contributed to the development of my strongly estrogen positive BC (no one else in my family had BC to my knowledge and my genetic testing was negative). My older sister took HRT for a year or 2 and no breast issues, I took it for 10 years. My understanding is BC risk increases the longer you take it. There is a new pharmaceutical med for menopausal symptoms that is not hormonal, marketed as Veozah (fezolinetant) in the U.S. but I don’t know anyone who’s tried it. That may be worth investigating.
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