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Original poster

AIBU to feel annoyed at being told to stop HRT immediately?

45 replies

Heresave36 · 06/05/2026 19:11

I had a mammogram this morning for a large lump on top of my right breast. I’ve had fibrous tissue there before and the mammogram previously came back with nothing to worry about. However, today I ended up having to have an ultrasound and then a biopsy. There was nothing positive about the tone of the consultant and I have a follow up appointment for the results next week.

Coincidentally I had a GP appointment this afternoon for a HRT check, I’ve had too many repeat prescriptions so I has to have a review. Because of the biopsy I was told by the GP to come off HRT today, no tapering just cold turkey.

After the events of the mammogram this morning, I really don’t want to stop HRT today and have to deal with the unknown consequences. If the biopsy reveals that it is cancer, then a week more of HRT won’t cause any more damage. It’s only nine days and it’s one more thing to deal with.

I feel as though I’m unreasonably annoyed at my GP for giving me one for thing to worry about.

OP posts:
Trippys · 07/05/2026 10:21

Lugol · 07/05/2026 06:54

Are you of menopause age? If so how on earth do you cope with the symptoms?
It must be rough for you x

Show quote history

The question was not directed to me but as someone who came off HRT for various reasons , I coped with my main symptoms using other means

Itchy skin - topical creams
Rage & Anxiety (my main symptoms) - Meditation, Yoga, Breathing and general self care.
Overheating and sweating - cotton pjs , nice cool bedding
Joint pain - Ancient and Brave collagen

Luckily my sleep has always been good.

I find that if I look after myself, I can cope ok.

Tooearlyjigsaw · 07/05/2026 09:10

Nearly50omg · 07/05/2026 00:04

They have put to bed the myth hrt causes breast cancer many years ago but unfortunately a lot of gps still haven’t read the research

That’s a misleading comment.

HRT is avoided as it affects the recurrence of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancers (ie 70 to 80% of breast cancers). NICE guidelines say to avoid it except in exceptional circumstances.

If menopause symptoms are very seriously impacting quality of life, a recent paper suggests doctors help their patients make an informed risk/benefit decision. The paper did also recommend that these women on HRT after breast cancer should be enrolled on a clinical trial to gather long-term data on outcomes including recurrence, mortality and quality of life.

In your case a decision about HRT couldn’t be made until more is known about the lump OP, even if you have serious menopausal symptoms. Your GP would be negligent to prescribe at this stage imho.
Hope everything works out okay.

https://ecancer.org/en/news/27104-experts-call-for-change-of-heart-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-after-breast-cancer

Experts call for change of heart on hormone replacement therapy after breast cancer - ecancer

Breast cancer survivors with severe menopausal symptoms should be supported to make an informed decision about whether to have hormone replacement therapy or no

https://ecancer.org/en/news/27104-experts-call-for-change-of-heart-on-hormone-replacement-therapy-after-breast-cancer

Daisy03 · 07/05/2026 08:24

@Lugolim 49 now, I was 47 when diagnosed and didn’t have any menopause symptoms but chemo stopped my period. As far as I know I’m cancer free now. I do get hot flashes and a lot of anxiety but it’s better than cancer or the treatments I went through! Xx

Lugol · 07/05/2026 06:54

Daisy03 · 07/05/2026 06:42

@Nearly50omgas the majority of breast cancers are hormone fed you cannot add more in to the mix by adding HRT. I’m on eostrogen blockers for the next 10 years to prevent a recurrence as are many others.
HRT may not directly cause breast cancer but you certainly shouldn’t take it if you have any chance of having a hormone fed cancer

Are you of menopause age? If so how on earth do you cope with the symptoms?
It must be rough for you x

Whyherewego · 07/05/2026 06:49

I am not expert on breast cancers but I do know there are a bunch of misconceptions around HRT and risks. There's a book called Estrogen Matters by Avrum Bluming and Carol Tavris which may be worth looking at. They've done podcasts too.
Ultimately it's your decision. Personally I'd factor in how quickly they are due to come back to you because if it's in a couple of days, I'd probably wait and see what the results say.

Daisy03 · 07/05/2026 06:42

@Nearly50omgas the majority of breast cancers are hormone fed you cannot add more in to the mix by adding HRT. I’m on eostrogen blockers for the next 10 years to prevent a recurrence as are many others.
HRT may not directly cause breast cancer but you certainly shouldn’t take it if you have any chance of having a hormone fed cancer

thehaplessgardener · 07/05/2026 01:02

EvelynBeatrice · 07/05/2026 00:54

What bit isnt true?

Show quote history

The bit about it being a myth that HRT causes breast cancer. The risk may be small, but still it increases the risk of breast cancer.

It would be unwise to keep taking it, after an ultrasound and no reassurance from that, and a request for a followup appointment with a consultant.

EvelynBeatrice · 07/05/2026 00:54

thehaplessgardener · 07/05/2026 00:45

I don't think that's true, actually.

Show quote history

What bit isnt true?

thehaplessgardener · 07/05/2026 00:45

Nearly50omg · 07/05/2026 00:04

They have put to bed the myth hrt causes breast cancer many years ago but unfortunately a lot of gps still haven’t read the research

I don't think that's true, actually.

Batties · 07/05/2026 00:11

Nearly50omg · 07/05/2026 00:04

They have put to bed the myth hrt causes breast cancer many years ago but unfortunately a lot of gps still haven’t read the research

I don’t think the doctor is saying that HRT causes the cancer. But some breast cancers are hormone fed. In fact, some women even have to be put into premature menopause.

Nearly50omg · 07/05/2026 00:04

They have put to bed the myth hrt causes breast cancer many years ago but unfortunately a lot of gps still haven’t read the research

Original poster
Heresave36 · 06/05/2026 23:52

@ScaryM0nster I think I was expecting reassurance from my GP but what actually happened was the opposite. You just want someone to tell you that it will be ok and it’s probably nothing. It was the same GP who made the referral for the mammogram which sort of makes it worse.

@CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone I should vote for myself

Thank you everyone. I don’t really want to tell anyone at home about this. Shouting it to the internet has been helpful. I’ve been moaning for months about turning 50 soon. I’m annoyed at myself and terrified in equal measure.

OP posts:
Daisy03 · 06/05/2026 21:31

In the kindest way if it is cancer and you have continued taking it you’ll always wonder if it made it worse. I hope you get the all clear but why take the risk

passwordchanges · 06/05/2026 21:17

YABU. If they said to continue taking it and it caused the cancer to grow you’d be suing for negligence

ScaryM0nster · 06/05/2026 21:16

It’s unreasonable to be annoyed at the Gp giving you the textbook advice.

It’s not unreasonable to be annoyed that someone didn’t mention this sooner.

It’s not unreasonable to be annoyed at the situation as a whole.

It’s not unreasonable to take the GPs advice on board alongside your own view of risk and balancing challenges in life and decide to taper in some way or carry on for an extra week with any medication you’ve still got

CanSeeClearlyNowTheRainHasGone · 06/05/2026 21:13

Heresave36 · 06/05/2026 19:11

I had a mammogram this morning for a large lump on top of my right breast. I’ve had fibrous tissue there before and the mammogram previously came back with nothing to worry about. However, today I ended up having to have an ultrasound and then a biopsy. There was nothing positive about the tone of the consultant and I have a follow up appointment for the results next week.

Coincidentally I had a GP appointment this afternoon for a HRT check, I’ve had too many repeat prescriptions so I has to have a review. Because of the biopsy I was told by the GP to come off HRT today, no tapering just cold turkey.

After the events of the mammogram this morning, I really don’t want to stop HRT today and have to deal with the unknown consequences. If the biopsy reveals that it is cancer, then a week more of HRT won’t cause any more damage. It’s only nine days and it’s one more thing to deal with.

I feel as though I’m unreasonably annoyed at my GP for giving me one for thing to worry about.

I feel as though I’m unreasonably annoyed...

And you're right.

But it makes voting difficult -
YANBU to be unreasonably annoyed
YABU to be annoyed

Original poster
Heresave36 · 06/05/2026 21:12

Thank you both.

@Northermcharn. I’m sorry you went through that. I hope everything is ok now. I think mine is linked to hormones too. The lump increased in size after I increased my HRT dose. I’ve never been on any other hormone treatment.

@YoullWishYourLifeAway I know you’re right. I suppose I’m looking for distraction to be annoyed by. I’ll know by the end of next week which is rather quick really.

OP posts:
YoullWishYourLifeAway · 06/05/2026 19:25

The GP would be really irresponsible to give you a prescription when you are under investigation when oestrogen can cause cancer to grow, although I understand your concerns and frustration.

I hope the result come through quickly and you get the all clear so you can restart. Flowers

Northermcharn · 06/05/2026 19:20

Heresave36 · 06/05/2026 19:11

I had a mammogram this morning for a large lump on top of my right breast. I’ve had fibrous tissue there before and the mammogram previously came back with nothing to worry about. However, today I ended up having to have an ultrasound and then a biopsy. There was nothing positive about the tone of the consultant and I have a follow up appointment for the results next week.

Coincidentally I had a GP appointment this afternoon for a HRT check, I’ve had too many repeat prescriptions so I has to have a review. Because of the biopsy I was told by the GP to come off HRT today, no tapering just cold turkey.

After the events of the mammogram this morning, I really don’t want to stop HRT today and have to deal with the unknown consequences. If the biopsy reveals that it is cancer, then a week more of HRT won’t cause any more damage. It’s only nine days and it’s one more thing to deal with.

I feel as though I’m unreasonably annoyed at my GP for giving me one for thing to worry about.

I understand and YANBU in a sense. At the same time, YABU your GP is trying to help. It sounds like you have a suspicious lump that could be linked to hormones. I had the same. I was younger then so not on HRT, but on the pill. I stopped it that day. I can't go on HRT now even if I wanted because of that hormone related cancer. So although annoying, it could save your life.

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