Ugh, another new problem!

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momoschki
momoschki Member Posts: 682
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

So, I am 55 , dx of ADH nearly 2 years ago. Was perimenopausal at the time of dx. Opted not to take tamoxifen, as much doctor indicated it would only provide me with a 4% reduction in risk. No family hx, btw.



Went 8 months, from last November thru this past July with no period and moderate menopausal symptoms. Then, this past June, familiar ovulatory type pain and discharge, followed by a period, and then another period 3 weeks later. TVA and biopsy were normal. All was fine until the beginning of last month, when the same pattern repeated. Itself: ovulatory symptoms, period, immediately followed by more ovulatory twinges and discharge.



Went to gyno this past Friday-- TVA showed an endometrial thickness of 10 cm and one ovarian cyst, which dr says is consistent with ovulation. Blood levels showed all hormones in the menopausal level except for the estriadol, which was way high for someone my age. This worries me a lot, since I am ER/PR+. Dr says if period doesn't come in approximately 2 weeks, she wants me on progesterone. This also makes me anxious. What are the breast implications?



I have a call I to my onc, but in the meantime, wondering if any if you have had similar experiences. I'm sorry this is so long winded, but I am at my wits end here: 55 just seems way too old to be going thu all this and I feel like all these hormonal difficulties are elevating my risk for future breast problems.



Whew! Thanks to all...

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  • dlb823
    dlb823 Member Posts: 9,430
    edited November 2012

    momoschki, you're fortunate that your doctor seems to have a good understanding of hormones, which, unfortunately, many doctors don't.  

    The theory of giving progesterone to counteract estrogen dominance and thus prevent breast cancer was advanced by Dr. John Lee, who wrote about it a book called, What Your Doctor Won't Tell You About Breast Cancer.  Unfortunately, Dr. Lee passed away in 2003, and I don't believe anyone has actively continued to research his hormone theory, which some say means the theory was too simplistic and not worth pursuing.

    How were your hormones tested?  Hormone levels can vary significantly throughout the day, so a blood test is not as accurate as a 24-hour urine test.  If your levels were determined with bloodwork, you might want to consider finding an integrative or naturopathic doctor who can do a complete hormone assessment (24 hr. urine) test.  If that kind of test and doctor determines that you could benefit from adding some progesterone, I would definitely consider it.  But you have to be comfortable with it, because there are no simple bc prevention answers that are right for everyone, or we wouldn't have as much bc as we do.   But that's what I would do if I was in your situation -- basically seek out a second opinion from someone who has a very sophisticated understanding of hormones and their interactions, and can be sure all of your hormones (e.g. estrogens, thyroid, DHEA, progesterone, testosterone, etc.) are all in balance, because they all play important, inter-related roles.  

    Just my two cents worth based on my own experience...    Deanna 

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  • momoschki
    momoschki Member Posts: 682
    edited November 2012

    Thanks for your reply, Deanna. Yes, my hormones were tested by a blood test by my GYN, but I do also work with an integrative oncologist who may be more open to the 24 hour urine test. I am still waiting to hear back from him. I guess my immediate concern had to do with whether adding progesterone to the mix could up my risk further, along with concerns over all this estrogen still pumping through my system at this age and what, if anything (short of Lupron or an oopherectomy) can be done about it.

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