Oopherectomy, Lupron or just leave it alone???

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juliempw
juliempw Member Posts: 383
edited June 2014 in Young With Breast Cancer

I'm 37 and 2 years post diagnosis, my onc is now recommending oopherectomy.  I'm looking for input from other young women out there who have had their ovaries removed or are on luperon so that I can make a more informed decision.  Side effects, regrets, research you've found?

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  • Annicemd
    Annicemd Member Posts: 341
    edited May 2012

    Hi Julie, there are a couple of great threads discussing just this issue. Have a look at stage1, grade 1 and premenopausal and another one entitled something like premenopausal with low oncotype score.

    I am premenopausal and have gone for Lupron for the time being. I am on tamoxifen and I assume the time will come that I will go for oophorectomy as I am still v pre menopausal but not keen to go for more surgery at the moment. I have not had problems with Lupron but some women get menopausal type symptoms with it,

    Best wishes

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  • juliempw
    juliempw Member Posts: 383
    edited May 2012
    Thank you so much.  I haven't been on bco for awhile and have almost forgotten how to navigate my way around here!  Laughing  I will look these others up.  How long have you been on lupron?  I thought it was a gauranteed menopause with that? 
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  • Annicemd
    Annicemd Member Posts: 341
    edited May 2012

    Julie, I have been on Lupron since last August. It induces chemical menopause within about 2 weeks. I am fully menopausal with it. But this is a reversible menopause! My bones ache a bit more than before but otherwise I am fine with it. I felt it was necessary for me because I did not have chemo and I want to treat my BC aggressively. It's an individual decision as there are no definitive data on Lupron plus tamoxifen although Lupron is used as an alternative to tamoxifen if tamox can't be taken. If strong data come through that inducing menopause does not improve outcome then I would consider stopping it and going back to being pre menopausal! That's partly why I decided against ooph at is stage as ooph is obviously irreversible.

    Annice

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  • SPAMgirl
    SPAMgirl Member Posts: 1,470
    edited June 2012

    I kept asking for an oopherectomy after I did chemo and radiation at stage iiia. My onc. told me that taking tamoxifin was just as good. She also said that hormones are released by other areas in your body, not just our ovaries. But, now I'm stage 4. Would the oopherectomy made a difference?

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  • misslene
    misslene Member Posts: 16
    edited June 2012

    Spamgirl, my onc said the same thing. I've asked for an oopherectomy but he doesn't feel it's necessary since my I don't have the BRCA genes. Given my age (I'm 33), he said that I need the other hormones released so I'm not in permanent menopause and having to worry about heart issues.  I'm going on the tamoxifen, too. 

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  • sundermom
    sundermom Member Posts: 463
    edited June 2012

    I'm 38 and my MO and OBGYN were both solidly against an ooph. They said the lack of hormones can cause things like heart problems and bone loss. Both assured me that Tamoxifen was a better option. We will assess hormone levels at 2 years (I'm 19 months without a cycle) and decide whether to switch to an AI or finish out the 5 years of Tamoxifen and then switch to an AI. They told me to focus on keeping my BMI in the normal/healthy range or slightly below since body fat produces (or stores, I can't remember which) estrogen.

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