Breast Clinic Appointment and HRT

[totallyfrusted]

Hi, I’m posting here for traffic after posting in women’s health and getting nothing.

I’ve been referred to the breast clinic after finding a lump in my breast and the doctor has told me to stop taking my HRT until after the appointment.

Because I had a million things running through my head at the time I didn’t ask why.

Has any else had this? I’m so scared about the appointment and convincing myself of the worse that this is now really playing on my mind as to why I had to stop taking it.

I can’t find anything on the internet about it so I just wanted to see if any one else had had this happen to them.

Any advice and hand holding very gratefully received

I've no idea. I have only ever been referred to the breast clinic from screening and no one said anything about not taking hrt. I can't see how it has any bearing at this stage.

I had extra mammograms around the area in question and an ultrasound.

Maybe he think if it is hormonal it will go away if you stop hrt?

I'm not sure about the HRT but wanted to say I have recently been to a breast clinic and understand your worries about a lump.
It can be a really worrying time but it's good you are getting it checked out.
Hopefully someone will be along soon with the answer.
Have you tried searching older mumsnet posts?

It’s because HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer but more specifically, most HRT contains oestrogen and about 70% of breast cancers are oestrogen responsive. It’s probably not cancer but if it is, you wouldn’t want to be ‘feeding’ a tumour

Thanks for all your comments. It’s probably my hormones now being all over the place that isn’t helping.

The appointment is on Monday morning and I’ve a feeling it’s going to be a very long weekend.

Not too long to wait then. I am waiting for my screening results to see if I have to go again.

Maybe a couple of nice walks will help stabilise the hormone situation.

Take care x

@CherryPavlova

It’s because HRT can increase the risk of breast cancer but more specifically, most HRT contains oestrogen and about 70% of breast cancers are oestrogen responsive. It’s probably not cancer but if it is, you wouldn’t want to be ‘feeding’ a tumour

Exactly this.

Thanks, that does all make sense. My head is going into overdrive thinking if she thought it was cystic why would I need to stop taking it.

Im a terrible worrier and over thinker so am going to try and keep myself busy over the weekend in an attempt to keep my mind off Monday

I can't find anything in the NICE guidelines about it.

All I can find is that HRT should not be prescribed to someone who is suspected of having breast cancer. However that is about when you haven't taken it before, not discontinuing it whilst waiting for a referral.

I expect your doctor is just being a little cautious and it is not indicative of anything. Sending calming thoughts your way x

I was told to stop take the pill immediately, I thought at the time that it was because that could've caused the cancer.

All the very best for Monday! Macmillan Community have a wonderful online site, if you need support.

I had this last year - it turned out to be a cyst (though that wasn't a surprise as the lump was really painful). Cysts are more common in women taking HRT also so again, if it is a cyst then it may be caused by the oestrogen.

I use oestrogen gel so have reduced the amount I use. Cyst has stayed away since.

Sorry for not replying sooner, today ended up being busier than I thought.

Firstly thank you for all your responses. It really does help reading your replies.

I know waiting is the worse bit and I’ve only got a day to go. I keep holding into the thought them at the doctor said she thought it was a cyst.

I’m also feeling rubbish as having stopped taking hrt I now have my period!! Just waiting for the hot flushes to start again and my week will be complete 😩

Any news?

I had what I thought was a lump. I'm on HRT. It turned out to be raised fatty tissue. I wasn't advised to stop my hrt while awaiting the appointment. Good luck 🤞

How did it go @totallyfrusted ?