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shannonW
shannonW Member Posts: 186
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I was scheduled for a hysterectomy(leave my ovaries in) for a prolapsed uterus along with fibroids in March 2011. One month prior I was diagnosed with DCIS, had a BMX and thus the hystectomy was put on hold. My gynnie visited me post BMX in hospital and said when we do your hystectomy in the future we need to go ahead and take out my ovaries too. My DCIS  was right breast only, clear margins, no invasion. So I'm having probs with the prolapse again and need to think about the hysterectomy surgery. I wondered what other thought...should I have my ovaries taken out as a precaution or keep them in? I'm 41 with regular periods. I also worry about the whole aging thing going into menopuase suddenly. My DCIS was ER+/PR-.

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  • NSWTD
    NSWTD Member Posts: 210
    edited June 2011

    This is hard.  If you have the hyst and ovaries out, you will, of course go into immediate menapause. That comes with some side effects, however since you asked.....

    If it were me, I would have the little suckers taken out.  No chance of ovarian cancer if you do not have ovaries, is there?    I had one ovary taken out in my mid 40's due to endimetriosis (sp?) and then menapause late 40s.   A few years were rough....hot flashes, irritable.....a littlle weight gain, but nothing major really.    I also had DCIS and had a unimast last year.   I sometimes think I should have done bilat mast, but what is done is done.   I think positive and eat much better now and have dropped some weight.  I feel really good and I am happy.    

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  • JAT
    JAT Member Posts: 81
    edited June 2011

    I would discuss this with a medical oncologist before you make a decision.  You can still get ovarian cancer even if you remove the ovaries, plus our bodies still produce some estrogen-- it's an extreme measure to take at such a young age.  I considered it as well--I had a BMX at 43 and 2 oncologists talked me out of it due to the fact that I tested negative for the BRCA mutation and have no family history of any cancers (why was I the unlucky one?).  Did you do the gene test? It is likely there are other mutations yet to be discovered, but with this mutation, breast and ovarian cancers are definitely linked.  Instant menopause is not something to take lightly since our bone and heart health are at stake as well. Would your gyno be willing to do pelvic ultrasounds at least once a year? Mine does this, but the blooed test is not helpful until post-menopause.--Julie

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  • shannonW
    shannonW Member Posts: 186
    edited June 2011

    My BRCA test was negative. My family history is one first cousin(pre-meno died at 39 TNBC), one 3rd cousin(pre-meno lumpectomy still alive and fine) and one aunt(post-meno lumpectomy, rads, chemo and alive and fine). My oncologist said my chance of ovarian cancer increased from 1 in 80 to 1 in 40 due to cancer diagnosis. He said ultimately it was my decision to weigh the options. Some people are fine with 1 in 40 versus the SE's of having the ovaries out at 41. Of course it's only come up b/c of need to have hysterectomy and already will be in there for surgery. My delima...negatives~instant menopause and all the physical changes with that. Bone and heart issues as u mentioned. Positives~no ovarian cancer worries and no periods(plus the prolapsed uterus issue gone). Very hard decision.

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  • mom3band1g
    mom3band1g Member Posts: 817
    edited June 2011

    If you are looking for opinions...I wouldn't do it.  I am BRACA neg but have 3 aunts diagnosed with BC (father's side) and one aunt died of ovarian cancer (mother's side).  Having my ovaries out was mentioned in passing by my gyno.  I was 39 at diagnosis and am 41 now and an not ready for menopause.  I just don't want anymore body parts removed!  My gyno didn't even feel my risk of ovarian was increased any more than anyone else.  I will go for my annual gyn check-ups but for now am keeping my ovaries!

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  • Emaline
    Emaline Member Posts: 492
    edited June 2011

    If you tested BRCA negative and no other problems with them, I would not do it.

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  • CandDsMom
    CandDsMom Member Posts: 387
    edited June 2011

    I would seek the opinion of a gyn-onc personally as well as a medical onc. If you can get to Chicago Diljeet Singh at Northwestern is great and she will give you a real fact based opinion.

    Best wishes

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  • yeltspring
    yeltspring Member Posts: 1
    edited June 2011

    I am stage 3b BC and am trying to decide whether or not to remove my ovaries to prevent reoccurance. Does anyone know of any data related to ovary removal and reoccurance or survival rate? Tough decision.

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