Cognitive effects of hormone therapy?

Prairiedog

Both of my parents had Alzheimer's and I know that I carry one of the alzheimer genes, APOE E4. I had BC 19 years ago and was on tamoxifen for five years. Last week I had a lumpectomy for a second BC in the other breast and am now again facing more hormone therapy. My major health risk factor is dementia and I am very hesitant at my age, 73, to take any drug that will impact my cognitive abilities. I know my current tumor was 95% er+ . I exercise regularly and am in excellent health except for the fact I have cancer...grin. If I don't go on hormone therapy can I request mammograms every six months rather than yearly and will Medicare cover that? I really would rather just monitor more closely than take a drug with known cognitive issues. Are there other things I can do rather than take hormone therapy? I guess what it comes down to is that I would rather die of cancer than die of dementia.

carmstr835

Hi Prairiedog,

I understand you concern and I too was told I needed hormone inhibitors and also plan to gonthe scan route. Good luck to us.

Luckynumber47

Prairiedog, I appreciate your concerns. My dad died from Alzheimer's and my first thought after being diagnosed with BC was "well, at least I won't die from Alzheimer's." Since we still don't know what causes Alzheimer's I guess no one could give you a definitive answer on AIs impact on the development of dementia but there must be a study somewhere. Maybe your dr could point you in the right direction. Since AIs deplete our bodies of estrogen I guess the question would be: does lack of estrogen lead to changes in our brain associated with dementia.

My understanding of AIs is that they help keep stray cancers cells from taking up residence elsewhere, i.e. bones, liver, lungs. Having frequent mammograms would only spot new cancers forming in the breast, not stopping cancers that form elsewhere and turn you into stage IV. I'm taking AIs to be sure I'm doing everything I can to keep that from happening.