Best phase of cycle to have surgery?

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CrunchyPoodleMama
CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
edited June 2014 in Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
Best phase of cycle to have surgery?
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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    I could have sworn I read something about lower recurrence rates for women who schedule their surgery at a certain time during their cycle. Does that sound familiar? Anyone know where that info is? I have my lumpectomy scheduled for next Wednesday which will be cycle day 16 but I want to make sure that's not in one of the "danger zones" setting myself up for possible recurrence... thanks in advance, wonderful alties!!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited November 2010

    After ovulation when progesterone is plentiful is the best time. Dr. Zava feels it's important to take added progesterone. 

    "Not knowing when the dawn is coming, I open every door." -- Emily Dickinson

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  • chrisct
    chrisct Member Posts: 2,662
    edited November 2009

    I read that somewhere too - maybe Susan Love's book.  I just googled it and found this:

    "The timing of surgery hypothesis holds that women who have breast tumours removed during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (days three to 12) have a poorer prognosis than those operated on during the luteal phase (days zero to two and 13 to 32). The first observations on this issue were made almost 10 years ago and surgeons have been debating the link ever since."  http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/7c31a.htm  from 1998. 

    Sounds like the estrogen may stimulate tumor growth, whereas progesterone may protect against it.

    It is controversial - my surgeon didn't pay attention to it. 

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    WHEW, that is great to know, since (if I have a typical cycle) that will be 3 days after ovulation... not quite as good as 4 or 5 days after ovulation, but since surgery on Thanksgiving is kinda out, I guess I'll take it! Thank you for mentioning Dr. Zava's name... off to look up that research... and yes, I'm taking iodine (mainly in the form of sea vegetables -- I should be getting something like 4,000% of the RDA of iodine -- need to get my hands on Iodoral too).

    I actually have leftover progesterone (Prometrium) from my last pregnancy... if it's not past expiration, I guess I could pop one up the hoo-ha in the days before and after surgery!

    I'm also taking cimeditine and modified citrus pectin, which apparently minimize the risk of surgery-caused spread of the cancer.

    THANK YOU for your quick reply... you've set my mind at ease and I appreciate it!!

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  • Nan56143
    Nan56143 Member Posts: 349
    edited November 2009

    CrunchyPoodlemama,

    Here is a link from the Life Extension foundation, and I know I read more articles on progesterone levels at time of surgery there also. I will just have to search. Scroll down the page to "Progesterone and cancer". There is also an excellent article in their magazine (December issue), as to cancer surgery, but you cannot bring it up online as yet. Is it ok to post these links?

    Nan

    http://search.lef.org/cgi-src-bin/MsmGo.exe?grab_id=0&page_id=4419&query=breast%20cancer%20surgery&hiword=BREAS%20BREASTS%20CANCEL%20CANCERA%20CANCERAN%20CANCERAS%20CANCERI%20CANCERIN%20CANCERIS%20CANCERNET%20CANCERS%20SURGE%20SURGER%20SURGERIES%20SURGERYS%20breast%20cancer%20surgery%20

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    Thanks so much for that link, Nan!! (As far as I know, it's fine to post external links!)

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  • Summer23
    Summer23 Member Posts: 22
    edited November 2009

    What if you're in chemo-induced temporary menopause, then what?   I'm sched for bilat mastectomy and lymph node dissection and oophorectomy in December.   Does anyone have any information on this?

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited November 2009

    Summer, I'm no expert, but I believe it's the progesterone that provides the protective benefit... so if it were me, I'd find a good bioidentical progesterone cream (topical) and apply it in the days leading up to and following the surgery.

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited December 2009

    Ugh, my re-excision surgery (AND an MRI-guided biopsy on the left breast) will both be well before ovulation this cycle... no progesterone to protect me. (No choice about that with my insurance expiring.) So now I've got to decide whether to just risk it, or artificially boost my progesterone with cream etc. (which I hate doing because that's going to mess up my cycle -- I want to have three good non-messed-up cycles before trying to have a baby). *sigh*

    I'm just venting, but am open to any ideas/insights on this!

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  • Anonymous
    Anonymous Member Posts: 1,376
    edited December 2009

    Crunch, I read that Dr. Zava recommends putting progesterone on the breast before and after surgery if you are not in the progesterone phase. I wouldn't worry about your cycle, I'd be concerned that the breast is protected.

    I read on another group today that a woman who had a recurrence on her scar site got it to stop growing by applying progesterone to the breast in the weeks before surgery.

    Her doctor or naturopath came up with that suggestion.

    I would apply iodine too. Double whammy.

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  • CrunchyPoodleMama
    CrunchyPoodleMama Member Posts: 1,220
    edited December 2009

    Wowie... thank you, Lucy!! Will do, for sure!!

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  • Fantomia
    Fantomia Member Posts: 16
    edited December 2009

    wow good to know (I hope if I have understood it right) - I had my period the day after my surgery and then I was in the lobular face, or?

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