Menopause consultant - London

[Derbybound2022]

Can anyone recommend the best specialist on menopause treatment? There is breast cancer family history and I need someone specialised in this.

Maybe start here thebms.org.uk/find-a-menopause-specialist/

Someone like Dr Nick Panay would be highly recommended though expensive and long waiting list.

You might find this useful if you haven't seen it, however this is with a BC specialist. who has had BC herself podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/168-breast-cancer-surgeon-survivor-and-advocate-dr/id1495710329?i=1000570182535

@Derbybound2022 You may find this website helpful.

www.thelattelounge.co.uk

The founder of the site is Katie Taylor, whose father is Prof Michael Baum. He is now retired but still active as far as statements on HRT when in the news. He's one of the UK's leading experts on breast cancer.

You can see him talking here. Scroll down the page.

thebms.org.uk/publications/bms-tv/

I'm not sure what your family history is, but the consensus amongst menopause specialists is that if you have two first-degree family members with breast cancer (at a young age) then it 's best to be cautious. That means a mum and sister (as 1st degree relatives.) However, this is not as black and white as it may seem as the newer types of HRT may have less risk.

Michael Baum covers this is in the video link.

HRT and breast cancer: overall risks and benefits

Prof Michael Baum, Professor Emeritus of Surgery and visiting Professor of Medical Humanities, University College London, answers these FAQs:

What percentage of women get breast cancer?
I went through the menopause last year and have been troubled with ongoing menopausal symptoms since.
Would it be safe for me to take HRT?
I have a family history of breast cancer, is it safe for me to take HRT?
I have been taking HRT for 5 years and it’s controlling my symptoms well. Could I continue taking it?
Should I stop because of the risk of breast cancer with HRT?
I went into premature menopause in my 30s and have been on HRT for the last 5 years. Should I stop HRT now because of the risk of breast cancer?
I have a family history of genetic cancer and my mother had breast cancer.
I carry the (BRCA) gene mutation and went into an early menopause after my ovaries were removed. Is it safe for me to take HRT?

Thank you so much for sharing!

@Derbybound2022 I hope that was helpful because as Prof Baum says, many women who think they have a family history risk, don't have one. And if they do, they should have genetic testing.

And, also, he says that a family history in itself is not a reason to avoid HRT, in some women.

Have you spoken to any experts on this?

I spoke to breast cancer nurse when I go for mammogram. She suggested I could try h r t for few months and up to me if I want risk it?!

I don't really understand that comment from the nurse @Derbybound2022
Is she qualified to advise you?

I'm wondering why you see a BC nurse when you have a mammogram?

If there is a lot of BC in your family, then you should ask your GP for the BRAC genetic testing, as explained in the video link.

What is the family history?

If you’re in London I’d ask your GP to refer you to the Chelsea and Westminster menopause clinic (NHS) which sits under Professor Nick Panay mentioned upthread.

I'd recommend that you ask your GP to refer you to a menopause clinic, preferably at the same hospital where you see your breast cancer nurse (I'm assuming you're under the care of a breast cancer family history clinic by your reference to a breast cancer nurse when you have a mammogram). Then your menopause clinic can liaise with your breast cancer nurse and GP to ensure you're fully supported in your decision-making. Because it will ultimately be your decision to go ahead (or not).

I also have a family history of breast cancer and have been under the care of the breast cancer family history clinic at one of the big London hospitals for over a decade (I was referred by my GP). When I started with awful peri synptoms, I asked my GP to refer me to Nick Panay and they refused and referred me to the menopause clinic at the same London hospital as my breast cancer clinic. I looked at seeing Nick Panay privately but the waiting list was over 9 months. Although my whole process has taken over a year (and I've seen 2 doctors privately to get things moving), my breast cancer nurse has reviewed reports from both my private doctors and the menopause specialist and eventually agreed that is is worth me trying HRT (due to my symptoms being so debilitating) despite it increasing my breast cancer risk. So I started HRT 2 days ago! This is a very simplified version of events as it's a complex subject and that's why you need help and support from medical professionals. You may also find it it's quite emotional too. It has certainly brought up some painful memories for me as I've had to face that I may well be opening up myself and my family again to all the pain we went through with loved ones suffering (and dying) in the past.