Ovaries, too?

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PhyllisCC
PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
edited June 2014 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

Hi,

Can anyone shed any light?  My dx was DCIS, rt breast, mast on 11/26, SNB negative, Estr+, Grade 2-3, Stage 0 . Lt breast biopsy, benign.  Actually had to talk my surgeon into referring me to an oncologist just to explore tamoxifen, AI,etc...more to ease my mind.  Being 56 & post menopausal I thought I should learn pros & cons.  But today, I saw my gyn for routine check up and she asked if anyone had brought up having my ovaries removed.  No - it has never been brought up. Kinda freaked me as I was hoping no more surgery...at least for awhile.  I thought being post menopause, this wouldn't even be a problem.  She just told me to ask the oncologist when I see him in January. In the meantime, have any of you had your ovaries removed to avoid reoccurance of DCIS? I tried to find references on this site, but couldn't.  Thanks for any info.  Phyllis

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited December 2007

    I am pre-menapausal and my surgeon suggested following up with my GYN on tests to detect ovarian problems so I could keep them as long as possible because of bone strength and heart health. I have a history of ovarian as well as breast cancer in my family. If a problem does come up, I will be getting my ovaries out too.

    Sheila

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  • roseg
    roseg Member Posts: 3,133
    edited December 2007

    I have NEVER heard of anyone suggesting that a post-menopausal woman have her ovaries removed to prevent a re-occurence of DCIS. I think your GYN is seeing a surgery fee.

    If you are anxious about ovarian cancer and had some family history it might be an possibility, but for DCIS it sounds un-necessary. 

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  • lynne4
    lynne4 Member Posts: 98
    edited December 2007

    This actually was discussed with me by a genetics person. There was sooo much going on at the time I can't remember the exact conversation. I think she said something about your chances of having ovarian cancer going up tremendously if you have a bc diagnosis. She thought I should consider having the one ovary that I still have left removed. I opted not to. There was way too much other stuff going on. I think I will just continue to have my regular check ups done  and keep an eye on it. I would be interested if anyone else has any info on  this as well. I really do not remember everything that she told me.

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  • PSK07
    PSK07 Member Posts: 781
    edited December 2007

    Unless there's ovarian cancer in your family history, I can't imagine why. Mom had BC 17 years ago, still had ovaries after a partial hysterectomy years before that, and she's still got them.  No discussion at all, and she had/has the best drs around.

    Since her BC was post menopausal, even gen testing is a total option for me.

    Should be an interesting discussion with the onc.  Are you having rads?  Seems like that would cut your risk of recurrence down more than removing ovaries.

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  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited December 2007

    Hi...

    No, did not have rads as I had a total mast and node was also negative.  Know I have a higher chance of getting cancer in my remaining breast, but had never heard about removing ovaries.  Saw my PS this afternoon (still too bruised so she wanted to wait another week before she starts my fills) but she also assured me that removing ovaries should not really make any difference since I'm post menopause.  Thanks to all of you for your comments as they have reduced my anxiety.  Will still discuss with the onc when I see him. Phyllis

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  • JustTurnedForty
    JustTurnedForty Member Posts: 289
    edited December 2007

    I have been planning to ask my breast surgeon this exact question at my 6 month follow up in 2 days.  When I was in the hospital for my BM, the lady in the bed next to me had ovarian cancer.  She told me she had previously had a hysterectomy (left the ovaries), then later had breast cancer & a BM, & now has ovarian cancer, which is very hard to detect!  Her's was quite advanced with very little symptoms, and they said it was related to having breast cancer.  I knew right then, after seeing what this poor lady was going through post op & her not-so-good prognosis, that I would be checking into having my ovaries removed!

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  • catbert4209
    catbert4209 Member Posts: 347
    edited December 2007

    Phyllis:

    I talked this over with my OB/GYN because I was also concerned about ovarian cancer following my diagnosis of bc.  She is going to start checking me every six months and keep an eye on the situation, but did not think there was any reason to remove them now.  I'm 55 and will be having my bilateral mastectomy with immediate reconstruction using implants next month.

    I also talked with my oncologist about ovarian cancer.  He agreed with my OB/GYN about the more frequent checks, but does not seem overly concerned.

    All the best to you.

    Cathy 

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  • mbordo
    mbordo Member Posts: 253
    edited December 2007

    Well, my onc recommended I have the BRAC testing, and if positive, having ovaries out would be discussed. (I am pre-menopausal) From my understanding, the risk of ovarian cancer is elevated *only* in those with a BRAC mutation...Fortunately I tested negative, so he said it is not necessary...however @ my annual, my gyn brought it up!  Uhh put down the scalpel, pal Wink

    Has Tamoxifen been discussed with you?  My onc said keeping all of my hormones was fine, since I opted for a bilateral, and the tissue to worry about hormonal effects upon is essentially gone...I'm thinking if you are hormone-receptor +, you should have a *choice* in how to go about blocking estrogen...

    Definitely get your onc's take on things.  I realized *my* ob-gyn does not know a lot about BC - I told him I'd take my oncologist's advice about all of this since he's the "cancer expert" and I could feel him back-off...

    Mary

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  • PSK07
    PSK07 Member Posts: 781
    edited December 2007

    Phyllis - sorry, missed the mast bit. Of course you wouldn't have rads. Good for your PS's comments. Hope you have a good discussion with your onc.

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  • lvtwoqlt
    lvtwoqlt Member Posts: 6,162
    edited December 2007

    I was on Tamox after my 2nd dx of pre-cancer ADH Oct 2006, after my dx of DCIS April 2007 and my bilat mast June 2007, my doctor took me off the tamox, he said that taking it now was moot point, but wants follow up with GYN for ovarian cancer tests since I am pre-menopausal. There is family history of ovarian cancer in my (maternal) aunt and the BC in my mom. My mom tested neg for the BRAC.

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  • PhyllisCC
    PhyllisCC Member Posts: 397
    edited December 2007

    Thanks for all the info.  It's really helpful to find out what others have been thru.  I'll be adding more questions for my onco appointment which is in January. I'm ER+/PR+ but don't know about BRAC or Her.  Not sure if they tested for this as I only have some of the pages from the path report. Hope to learn more next month.  Again, thanks for sharing....it really helps. Your positive thoughts are contagious!  Phyllis

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