Hi Baldrick
I was diagnosed with an oestrogen and progesterone positive DCIS back in May. I have since had a therapeutic mammoplasty (lumpectomy with reduction and reshape) and am due to start chemo in a few weeks, followed by radiotherapy.
I was previously on a good chunk of HRT and was told I had to stop immediately - this was by the breast clinic, surgeon and also my menopause clinic. I went cold turkey on the Sandrena (2 sachets a day, no prog as had hysterctomy 8 years ago) and also Tostran. I made a conscious decision to continue with the topical vagifem and ovestin (down to once a week with cream instead of 6 times a week). My decision was made based on quality of life and understanding that the topical dose is miniscule. My GP agreed with this approach and I have also discussed this with the breast nurses who are of the same opinion. I will be talking to my oncologist next week and will be requesting they add vagifem and ovestin back into my repeat prescriptions.
I think the reasoning for stopping immediately will be based on whether her DCIS is hormone positive which her medical team will know from the biopsy results.
There is also a great book written by Dr Avrum Bluming called Oestrogen Matters - he is a world renowned oncologist whose wife and daughter (both had hormone positive breast cancer) continued taking HRT.
Good luck to your sister - it's a lonely and difficult journey, more emotional than physical, but she is stronger than she thinks and there is so much positivity with treatments and outcomes now.
H
