PCOS and ER+/PR+

Bagsharon

I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) which means I don't produce a lot of estrogen and progesterone and have all the side effects of that like hair on my face, chest and belly. In fact, I found my lump (this is so embarrassing) because I was looking for hairs around my nipple that might need tweezing. And then I end up having very strong estrogen and progesterone receptors in my tumor. It's like some cosmic joke.

coraleliz

I also have PCOS. My understanding is that we produce good amounts estrogen & as well as higher levels of androgens(male hormones) than most women. This gives us those wonderful(ughh!) symptoms. I've read that PCOS may actually increase our odds of getting BC. Men can get breast cancer too. They are using Metformin to treat PCOS & studies are ongoing to see if it can reduce reoccurrences in BC patients. Might be something to pursue if you're not already on it.

Bagsharon

I was told by my doctor many years ago that I didn't produce enough estrogen and progesterone to counter the normal amounts of androgen in my body but now Dr. Google is saying pretty much the opposite. Sigh. Sometimes I wonder if PCOS is just a catch all for hairy women with irregular periods. Everybody keeps telling me that being ER+/PR+ is a very, very good thing when it comes to breast cancer so I guess I should stop whining.