Removal of Ovaries at 27?

heathermcd

I spoke with my oncologist yesterday before chemo and he is suggesting that we medically shut down my ovaries to see how well I tolerate it and then move forward with removal of my ovaries. He says that this is the best option for preventing the cancer from coming back. My husband and I have not decided whether or not we want to have children, but my number 1 priority now is survival. Im very worried about going through this proceedure at such a young age because of the other considerations (children, bone density, SE's), but my Oncologist seems to think that my age is even more of a reason to go through with something this drastic. Does anyone have any opinions on this? He is talking about having the surgery at the same time I have my exchange surgery which is approximately six months away. This all seems very soon. Any advice or experiences are welcome!!

DiDel

I was 43 when diagnosed and my BS wanted my ovaries out and my onc said it could wait. My ER+ is 95% but I just am not ready to be in menopause so I can only imagine how you feel. I did chemo and now take Tamoxifen and feel good about my decision. Personally, I would medically shut them down for a few years and see how things go before surgery. Surgery is seems drastic to me for someone your age. Plus it will give you time to sort out the kids issue.

Good luck with the rest of your treatment and your decision!

Stay strong!

Diane

nikola

Younger You are they are more aggressive with Tx. I was 42, no node involvement and onc said because of my age I should consider chemo. Now he wants me on injections and to consider ovary removal, as well. I have a son and I am considering ovary removal.

If I was Your age I would go with injections for couple of years and decide then. 6 months is too soon.

Honeybear

I was diagnosed for the first time at 27, again at 31, then mets to my bones were found at 32.  I had my ovaries removed 2.5 years ago (since having mets).  I have a strong family history also.  All of my biopsies were ER+, PR+, HER2neu-.  If I could go back in time, I would have had my ovaries removed.  But, it's an impossible decision.  Think about if you want to become a mother, and if so, are you comfortable with other options like surrogacy or adoption....  There are a lot of side effects to this, so don't rush it.  I don't know that I am being much help here, but if you have any other questions, you're welcome to PM me.  Good luck!

Leah_S

Heather, you might want to get another opinion (or even a few) before you decide. The SE's of premature menopause can also shorten your life. I know that's a blunt statement but it's what recent studies have shown.

The suggestions above to chemically shut down your ovaries for a few years might be a good idea.

All the best.

Leah

heathermcd

Thanks everyone for your insights. Initially, I think I was mostly panicked about the inability to have children, but the additional research I have done is telling me that this decision at my age is going to effect much more than my ability to reproduce. It scares me terribly that my doctor seems to think that this is the best option for me - I guess I feel like there is something he's not telling me as far as how "high risk" I really am. I haven't been able to think about anything else since having this conversation with him. I guess i'm dwelling on the fact that my age is going to play a big factor in my long term survival one way or another. I hate BC. This is all so depressing.

kerri72

Heather, are you BRCA+? Or do you have a strong family history of breast/ovarian cancers? That's the main thing that I can think of that would make you an obvious candidate for an oophorectomy.

I just had my ovaries removed at 38 because I'm BRCA2+. I'm worried about long-term risks to my heart and bone loss, but I really had to do it to prevent recurrence of BC/onset of ovarian cancer. My side effects have been no big deal - just hot flashes that I'm able to manage with deep breathing.

I'm sorry you're in this position. But you should definitely ask your doctor to clarify his recommendation, and get a second opinion as Leah said. Good luck.

heathermcd

Kerri- Actually, i'm not BRCA+, which is why this suggestion shocked me even more. I'm definately planning on bringing this up with him again when I go in for chemo...i'm just so afraid of making the wrong decision. It is settling, somewhat, to know that your side effects haven't been terrible. I appreciate your response.

Latte

Heather, I also think you should get a 2nd opinion - you're very young for an ooph. Even for BRCA+ gals (I am one of them) the recommendation is to wait until you are 35 (or sometimes 40) before having the ooph because of the other problems it can cause in younger women.

good luck for your decisions - it must be hard to have to decide about future children at the same time as dealing with cancer (I was lucky enough to have already decided I didn't want any more children about 6 months before my dx)

MagsB

Hi Heather,

Our stories are pretty similar. I was diagnosed at 27, ER/PR+, HER2+, Node+ etc and went through the complete gauntlet of treatment. My very first Onc appointment, my Onc suggested that I should have my ovaries out, but that it was going to be down the line. Anyway, my ovaries were shut down chemically for 2 years, and it then took 1.5 years for my ovaries to start functioning again. I'm over 5 years out from my diagnosis and I'm now 32.

I met my Onc again last week and after a long discussion, he has referred me to a gynae to discuss the oophorectomy and the SE's from it. I'm due to see him in the New Year. It's the SE's that I worry more, than having children - I am not in a relationship, nor am I the most broody of women - I like being an aunt, but I don't really want children.

I have to say, it's been a hard few months since my periods came back - I was just so annoyed that I had to make this decision at my age. I honestly found this harder than any other aspect of my treatment, probably because I HAVE to make a decision. All other treatment, there was no choice. In essence, we are suggesting aging our bodies 20/25 years... That's not a easy decision to make.

Like you, I wonder how "high risk" I am?? Are they not telling me something?? But then again, I've survived this last 5.5 years! Honestly, I believe they are suggesting this because of the "age thing". Aged 27, the Oncs will through EVERYTHING at you! Yes, the treatment we receive may shorten our life expectancies, but what is our alternative? Sometimes, I can't help thinking - it just NOT FAIR! We shouldn't have to make these decisions in our 20's & 30's...

So, what's my decision? I think I will have my ovaries removed... Like you, I am worried about my heart and bone health - but they say this is manageable?? Also, the AI drug (think Femera?) they will put me on will have it's only challenges...

For you - maybe you could ask them to chemically stop your ovaries for a while, to give you some breathing space, so you can make your decisions after a lot of thought and consultation with loved ones?? I've had 5 years to think about this, though it doesn't make the decision easier, but it gives you some time to make that decision, when you are not bombarded with all the other things going on at the moment for you...

Best of luck!

Mags

nikola

Congrats Mags on being 5 years out. Sorry You have to go through all this at such a young age.

rgiuff

 I am shocked that your doctor would recommend something so drastic at your young age.  Definitely don't rush to have your ovaries removed.  It will put you into menopause, which means in addition to not being able to have children, you will lose most of your hormone production of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.  This can affect bones, aging process, cardiac status, ability to sleep, and sex life.  Shutting them down chemically for a couple of years is reversible and then if you are still cancer free at that point, you will still have the option to get pregnant.  And once you move beyond the initial period of shock and worry about survival and see that you will live through this, you might regret having done something so drastic and life altering.  You can also do other things to decrease your risk of reoccurrence, such as exercising regularly, cutting down on pesticides and chemicals in your diet and environment, changing to a healthier diet, cutting down on the dairy and animal products which are so pumped full of hormones, and stress reduction.  There is a lot of information on the Natural Girls Forum about all these alternatives, which really never get factored into the studies.

It is important to do everything you can to reduce your risk, but if it's going to drastically affect your quality of life, and possibly cause further grief, this can be damaging to the body also and has to be taken into consideration.  I would get another opinion from a different oncologist.

Tammy27

I was diagnosed with BC at 26.  ER+/PR+ and HER2+.  I would recommend that you seek a second opinion and discuss using medicines such as Zolodex to suppress your ovaries.  I know how you feel because I'm married and I love children, having to make these hard decisions at such a young age is unimaginable.  I would also advise you to think of the other options that are available for having children such as adopting and surragocy.