HRT and had breast cancer

[MinnieMountain]

I’ve been peri-menopausal for 4 years- a year after my treatment for hormone receptive breast cancer finished. I take tamoxifen.
I don’t take HRT as I got private advice at the time and was told it’s inadvisable.

I gather that advice has changed. Can anyone who had hormone receptive breast cancer and takes HRT tell me what you take and how you got your GP to prescribe it please?

@JinglingSpringbells yes but then it’s not just the breast oestrogen receptors that are blocked by tamoxifen is it, it’s all oestrogen receptors. So giving a woman oestrogen isn’t going to really benefit them significantly? I’d certainly struggle to justify whether the benefits outweigh the risks. That’s one doctors opinion, I’m not aware it’s a general guidance and certainly not in the UK.

That’s the thinking from the training I had, and IME a GP is going to be very wary and very unlikely to prescribe to a woman with a recent, hormone receptor positive breast cancer taking tamoxifen. Certainly none I work with. We’d suggest non hormonal management of symptoms, and if a woman was insistent she wanted HRT we’d refer.

@Sidge I didn't say it was general guidance in the UK.

I also said this wasn't something a GP could deal with.

The best place in the UK was the menopause clinic at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where they deal with complex issues like this.

As a GP you must however, be aware of Prof Michael Baum (UCL) and his views on this? (World renowned breast specialist.) And the article I linked to includes a quote from a Dr at the menopause clinic at Addenbrookes, saying they do prescribe, where appropriate.

I’m not a GP but yes I know of him, he’s got some really good videos on the BMS website.

I know we’re saying largely the same thing here, I’m just pointing out to other posters that discussing American practice with a UK GP is unlikely to be productive, and be prepared for a delay whilst you’re referred.

It’s so difficult for women with breast cancer as the treatments often induce menopause, and then the usual routes of treatment for menopause are largely contraindicated leaving them struggling. It’s a tough one to manage 😕

I’ve had strongly oestrogen receptive BC and no way would I touch HRT. I’ve done all sorts of other things to help with menopausal symptoms. Weight control, exercise, caffeine reduction, alcohol reduction, Vit D supplementation etc etc.

@JinglingSpringbells Asked me to comment due to another thread we are on. I had hormone positive breast cancer in my late 20s in 2009. I was signed off by my oncologist in 2018 but had a full hysterectomy for abnormal fibroids in my early 40s. The gynae doctor recommended I see Mr Panay and my Gp and wouldn’t give me HRT without oncology sign off. Sadly my wonderful oncologist had retired and I moved to a new one who is fully supportive of me taking oestrogen and testosterone (no need for progesterone as no uterus). I was under Chelsea and Westminster menopause clinic and saw Mr Panay privately. As long as I continue with annual mammograms and annual visits to my new oncologist all are happy for me to take HRT.

Quality of life day to day is also important and whilst I would not want to get breast cancer again I couldn’t sleep, I had weeks of staring at the ceiling all night post hysterectomy pre HRT, I was crippled with hip and knee pain and I was early 40s. I’d like to live a long healthy life, HRT (and collagen) are supporting me with this. I’m not looking for debate here, I’m just saying that I see a very experienced breast oncologist and Mr Panay is an expert in menopause, they work together regularly and for me we have agreed this is for the best. I am simply sharing my experiences (I had a lumpectomy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and tamoxifen).

If you come to the conclusion HRT isn’t for you then Marion Stewart has an all natural program. I wish you the very best of luck.

This has been very interesting and helpful. Thank you everyone. I was after a proper discussion with people who have experienced it.

I’ve been struggling with my symptoms recently, hence posting here.