BRCA2+ Oophorectomy recommended. 37 yo. Short/Long term effects?

ccmarie22

Diagnosed Stage III BC at 26. BRCA2+ ER+ PR- HER2-

Opted for bilateral mastectomy. Took Tamoxifen for 3 years... No recurrences.

I am 37 now, and it is time to think about an Oophorectomy. I have 1 child. I haven't had menopause, and I still have regular (heavy) periods. I am not afraid of the surgery, or downtime. I am mainly afraid of the sexual side effects, weight gain, aging, and long term health issues. I don't think I will be able to do Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Has anyone had a prophylactic oophorectomy? If so, please tell me how bad it is after.

PezGal

Hey! I guess there aren't a lot of BRCA gals on this site. I'm BRCA 1+. Anywho, I can't talk of any long term side effects but I had my BSO 2 weeks ago. Surgery wise - it was a total breeze. Out patient, home by lunch, a little sore for about 2 days, and then was completely fine again. I might be getting a few mild hot flashes, but I never got my period back from chemo (ended in May). I think my ovaries gave up a while ago. I also am not allowed to do hormone replacement therapy. I have doubts on if I did the right thing or not, over reacting, (my pathology came back caner free) but I have no nagging worries anymore in that department, so i'm fine with my choice. The rest... I don't know. I'll start weight lifting, for bone density, and address things as they come up. I don't know what the future holds. It's a tough decision....

LisbethS

That's good to hear about the recovery being such a breeze. I'm BRCA2+. I'm doing my BSO after chemo which starts this Friday. Four rounds of CT so will be done in November. Then they said that I needed about a month to recover from chemo and then surgery. I guess I'll do the BSO first then I need to get the other breast removed and reconstruction. I got my Pet Scan results today and all was good except there was something on my ovaries but sounded minor--i'm going to have the results forwarded to my gyn onc.

Did your doctor have you consider also removing your uterus (hysterectomy)? Mine sort of pushed for it, made me feel like it was my decision but after I left I couldn't recall any real reason to do it. And before my appt, her scheduler had said something about that I had an appt to discuss a hysterectomy and I said "No, I'm here to talk about a BSO" and she said the doctor ALWAYS does a hysterectomy with the BSO. That was a red flag to me. Every patient and situation is unique, and to automatically always do a hysterectomy doesn't seem like good care. And I wasn't prepared with any questions about a hysterectomy either, so all I could think to ask was how much longer for recovery and does it negatively affect sexual pleasure. She said it takes a week or two longer and it absolutely does not impact sexual pleasure. I already knew the BSO would affect libido and dryness, etc. but I don't want to lose having the big O. After reading patients personal stories on the web, I don't know how she can make such a blanket statement like that. The thing is, I really liked her. But I'm going to find someone else anyway or at least get a second opinion. I told my breast surgeon about it (I really like her too) and she kiddingly told me "aren't you too old for that?". Not cool. Might look for a new breast surgeon too. Cancer is big business and sometimes I feel like these doctor's are drooling when I come in the door.

inks

I'm BRCA1 and have been without ovaries for 2 years. The surgery is easy if you keep your uterus. There is no good reason to remove the uterus and hysterectomy raises the risk of prolapse. My primary care was pushing for hysterectomy too but the gyn onc was totally fine taking ovaries only. They do it laprascopically and I had tiny holes in belly button and in my appendectomy scar only. It does affect the libido and vaginal dryness is a big problem for me. I can have orgasms just fine. I was 38 at the time of surgery and had been on tamoxifen for almost a year.

inks

And please make sure you see a gynecologic oncologist not just a regular gynecologist.