Breast Cancer and HRT

[foxyknoxy30]

I went to the dr last year with perimenopause symptoms bloods were taken and it was confirmed and I was prescribed HRT.The dr mentioned something about breast cancer risks but advised it was a low risk. I am adopted and recently found out there is a history of breast cancer in the family and now it has me wondering is being on HRT safe? Obviously I have tried to google but leaves me feeling more confused by it all, just wondering does anybody have knowledge or experience ? I am currently on Novofem which I changed too recently and feel it's helping me massively, thanks

Hi. I was concerned about the breast cancer prevalence in my family and my dr referred me to the Nightingale Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester. I filled in a questionnaire that explained where cancer or odd growths has been found in my family. They then did a mammogram and calculated my risk. I was recommended to take Tamoxifen to reduce my risk.

I've decided to get rid of my hormonal coil, as I can and it reduces the risk further. Im also trying to get my BMI down a bit. It's likely I might need HRT in the future (mum had an early menopause) but at least I can make a decision based on fact and risk.

I think it's worth asking your gp to refer you and do what you can to find out the details within your family. Not sure if within your circumstances if that's possible. I ended up speaking to all my aunts on both sides, my cousin and my mum. I needed birth/death dates and ages at diagnosis and what happened since the diagnosis.

The journey took about 3 months and that was whilst Covid19 was raging. I live in Manchester, so depending on where you live, there might be a more local centre.

I hope this helps a bit.

The medical advice is that it's only first degree relatives that are counted as risk - that's a mother and sister.

I hope you find out what you know.

For info, drinking 2 units of alcohol a day or being overweight both have higher risks of BC than HRT to put it in perspective.

There is great info on Dr Louise News one’s website about this.

Louise Newsome that should say.