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[Fevvers]

Hi I'm 43 and had breast cancer in 2015. As a result of chemotherapy, radiotherapy and a brief period of tamoxifen (hormone supressant) my periods stopped. They restarted last year after my oncologist took me off tamoxifen (I had been misdiagnosed and as I have had triple negative breast cancer tamoxifen is of no use).  After a year of erratic cycles I have just has a 3 month gap between periods.  So it would seem fairly likely that this is peri menopause and I'm waiting for the results of a blood test to confirm this. 

Anyway as well as saying 'Hi' I wanted to see if there are others with experience of menopause after breast cancer on the forum.  Even though I'm triple negative I can't have HRT or take any supplements that elevate oestrogen. So I'm very interested in hearing how others have coped and if there is any info around about this particular situation.

Oh and I've also piled on weight during chemo and since then so I'm looking for help and motivation. I'm not sure I can really blame this on anything.  I just like to eat!

Thanks!   

[CLKD]

Hi! back.   

Even though I had breast disease treated in 1995: the lump was diseased, not the breast: I would insist on HRT should I require it.  Quality of Life and one needs to weigh up pros and cons.  I don't understand triple negative, it's new terminology to me 

Several ladies will probably come along with similar stories.  Tamoxifen nearly killed me.  A friend was on it and developed womb cancer which eventually took her Life  .  So I am glad that I was unable to continue with it on an 'in case' basis.  I hadn't felt physically ill during diagnosis and treatment, radiation gave me a slight sun burn patch ...... now well!

Browse round. Make notes.  Lovely to have you on board.

[Snoooze]

Hi Fevvers,
 

There is a member called racjen who has had triple negative breast cancer and she is on HRT. Here is a thread about it.

https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,37543.msg599375.html#msg599375

[CLKD]

Tnx Snoooze! 

[Fevvers]

Thanks for the replies both.  Triple negative refers to the fact that there are 3 known hormonal causes of breast cancer and none of these caused mine.

Unfortunately my oncologist, GP and 2 gynaes have refused me HRT because there is still an elevated risk so I'm doing this without the medication.  Interesting that the other member was prescribed HRT though. 

[CLKD]

Are they worried about being sued?  Don't they understand the value of quality of Life?   Bet they are men ;-)

Sometimes we need to be allowed to make our own decisions once we have informed advice.  Maybe even 'we' could become part of an on-going Study as to the whys and wherefores ........ what would you like to ease first?

Browse round 

[NorthArm]

My mother has triple negative breast cancer, diagnosed when she was 69. Despite this, I'm on hrt. I'm well aware of the risks involved, but have absolutely chosen to use it as my quality of life was zero 10 months ago.

My mother is very vain, and had had multiple breast augmentation (implants, one of which leaked, I believe is was the one in the cancerous breast), breast perfection procedures, nipple perfection procedures, her last breast surgery pre cancer was when she was 45 (had implants removed, breasts lifted and tucked - apart from the hideous keloid scarring, they were like the breasts of a teenager) etc, etc. she'd also never, ever had mammograms or ultrasounds on her breasts. her choice, as in her mind she is still 20!



I'm a little more cautious, I have my two yearly Pap smear, I have my two yearly mammogram....if any issues arise, I will deal with it then. So, as a well informed woman of the 21st century I will use hrt - it's my right to choose!

[racjen]

Hi Fevvers, yes I was diagnosed with Triple Negative Breast Cancer in May 2016; had the full works - mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and then just as I thought I was beginning to get back to normal started getting very depressed. I made the connection with the sudden menopause (I was 49 at diagnosis and hadn't reached menopause) and asked for HRT. Although my GP was clueless, she and my oncologist had no problem agreeing to it - in fact the specialist I've been seeing said the TNBC meant I probably have a slightly lower risk than average of developing hormonally-driven cancer.

To be honest, even if I did have a higher risk I'd be insisting on HRT anyway - your quality of life is crucial, what's the point of going through all that trauma, surviving cancer and then feeling terrible for the rest of your life? I'd rather live for today.

[racjen]

CKLD, I'm interested to know what you mean when you say 'the lump was diseased, not the breast'. Surely this is always the case with breast cancer? I had my whole breast removed, but that wasn't because the breast itself was diseased, simply that the lump was too big in comparison to the small breast to make it worth conserving.

[Dancinggirl]

Hi Fevvers - I quite understand why you don't want to use HRT.  You can still enjoy food but you must simply cut the portions right down, cut out as much sugar and fat as possible and take more exercise - exercise can simply be lots of brisk walking, running up and down stairs 10 times in one go 3 times a day and perhaps taking some dance classes. 

If meno symptoms do emerge e.g. flushes, then there are non HRT treatments but I wouldn't rush to these before sorting the weight and lifestyle out.

You've had a tough time - be kind to yourself, learn relaxation techniques - the Calcium, magnesium and Vitamin D and make sure you have you heard an bones monitored regularly.  Good luck. DG x