HRT causing breast cancer

It's not that there's no need for tamox for someone post-meno, it's that AIs are usually considered more effective but are only for post-meno women.

The issue of tamox or AI not being needed if you have no breast tissue is only for those who had DCIS. For a woman who had an invasive cancer, tamox or an AI is used in case any cancer cells are still alive in another part of your body and could cause mets.

As far as HRT - I can give you my mother's example. She had osteoporosis and her doc put her on HRT when she was in her early 70s (about 20 years post-meno). Within 4-5 years she had  bc (no hx of bc in her family; my father's family is full of it). Her onc is sure it was the HRT. I don't know why her doc didn't give her a bisphosphonate since, though new, they were being used and were not in the trial stage. I didn't use HRT.

Leah

I went into "early" menopause at age 47 (8 years ago).  I had a number of discussions with my GYN.  Research at the time indicated that it would be safe to do a short course of HRT, until I reached a more "normal" menopausal age (to protect my bones and my heart - those were the research findings at the time).  How much did it contribute?  I guess we'll never know for certain. 

I have a history of severe endometriosis with two major abdominal surgeries and two courses of Danazol in my 30s to throw me into temporary menopause in an effort to shrink endometrial tissue.  I also took birth control pills for many years to help with the symptoms of endometriosis.  Also, I have never been pregnant.  So, I have a history of lots of hormonal "tinkering" over the years. 

I also had extremely dense breast tissue, which I recently read is not just a problem for diagnosing BC, it is actually now considered a strong risk factor.

JP, I was on Prempro for about 15 years, and I strongly believe it was a key factor in my developing bc.  Having gotten off HRT cold turkey when dx'd, and being well into menopause factored strongly into my decision not to take an A/I or Tamox after having a bad reaction to Femara, which might have been partly caused by the double-whammy I gave my body when I tried it.   I am using a natural estrogen modulator, as well as some diet modifications (i.e. very low protein & dairy), which is about all the futher estrogen deprivation my body can tolerate.  Deanna

I had been taking it for 4 years. My cancer was highly ER receptive - an indicator that it may have been caused by HRT. Add in to that many many years on the pill - 5 times the strength of HRT!!!

Yes, mammograms repeatedly missed mine, too, which was also palpable.    I found it myself with a self-exam.    The MRI and ultrasound did show it, though.    I had had about a gazillion mammogram shots that did show calcifications but they said it was fine when they checked it after 6 months again.    I found it myself a couple of months later, and it was a very slow growing type that definitely was there while I was getting mammograms.

my nana passed in april from secondary breast cancer, she had been on hrt from the age of 24 (she had a histrectomy) she was 66 when she passed. She thinks HRT had something to do with it. My mum has just refused HRT because of my nan x

Breast Cancer is usually Generic.

Cancer can be caused by Genetics,exposture to enivornmental toxins,or even from certain viruses or possibly even bacteria.