Pre-menopausal & elective hysterectomy
I am one year into 10 years of Lupron (Zolodex lately) + Exemestane. I was 36 at diagnosis - 38 now. I HATE the monthly shots. They hurt, the travel time is a major inconvenience, I hate the lack of flexibility with scheduling, and there's definitely some PTSD involved because I receive the shots at my chemo infusion center. I just had a pre-op with the OB to discuss an elective hysterectomy, but I'm now having major second thoughts after she went through the risks associated with removing ovaries at such a young age. Early death, heart failure, dementia... Has anyone else weighed this decision before age 40? Oncology said it's completely my choice, but we didn't really chat about the risks of the surgery - more the benefits of not having to get the shot anymore.
Comments
-
Maskwearer72, what type of cancer and stage are you? I did remove my ovaries after 4 months of lupron. I felt it worked better for me. Yes, ovaries, breasts, estrogen, are needed for a healthy body, however, I believe, cancer diagnose moved me to the territory of non-healthy and I had to chose what worked better. I am more concerned about cancer coming back than dying of old age from heart failure. Sometimes I feel that data are collected from people who removed ovaries when they were young may have had other health issues that are not included. One woman, I knew since I was young, removed her uterus and ovaries lived 90yr old. You never know however, I know that cancer treatments are not going to make my heart stronger or my mind brighter
)
Other ladies may have other opinions of this.
-
I had stage 2A triple positive. PCR after surgery last summer and no issues since. You make a good point and I appreciate your comment - I was so overwhelmed with the dementia/early death/heart disease risks of pulling ovaries younger than 40 that I wasn't entirely clear on whether the doctor was telling me that those risks were more likely to occur in old age, or if the surgery made those risks more likely at a younger age. Because I agree with you 1,000% - I'm far more concerned about surviving cancer than getting heart disease when I'm elderly! I would be thrilled to be around long enough to worry about that!
-
Two doctors have recommended I have a hysterectomy. One thought everything should go, the other said she would leave the ovaries to prevent me from going in to menopaus but my periods stopped halfway through chemotherapy and my estrogen levels were undetectable before I went on lupron/zoladex and anastrazole so I'm not sure that my ovaries are really anything but dead weight at this point. I'm on the lupron/zoladex as a precaution. I can't really imagine my ovaries will resurrect themselves at 43, which I will be when the 5 years are up, and certainly not at 48 if I stay on anti hormone therapy for 10 years.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team