Elective full hysterectomy for late menopause

[Worldgonecrazy]

I’m blessed(?) with being peri for a few years now, and will likely be classed as late menopause. Period stoped for 5 months but now back to regular and I’m 54. I know this will give me protections from certain illnesses but also put me at higher risk of womb and ovarian cancers. I also have medical history which increases the risk of these two cancers. I would like an elective full hysterectomy once I am actually menopausal.

Has anyone else gone this route? Did your GP support or did you go private? For private what are the costs?

You might reduce your gynaecological cancers risk, but will double your thyroid cancer risk, and increase brain cancer, renal cancer as well as melanoma, so don't jump at hysterectomy as the removal of an organ no longer needed.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ijc.30011

If you have a tumour inducing genetic mutation, you can take less risky measures, from increased screening for endometrial cancer to a salpingectomy, since more than 95% of ovarian cancers originate in the Fallopian tubes.

You mention medical history? What exactly increases your risk?

Thanks for that. I have only skim read but it seems that the risks are greater for women undergoing premenopausal womb only hysterectomy. I plan to wait until I am fully menopausal (so probably 59-60 and have a full removal.

I am higher risk due to several rounds of IVF which resulted in hyper stimulation of my ovaries, and close family history of certain cancers. Also, of course, later menopause (post 55)whilst reducing my risk of certain cancers (including brain cancers!) increases the risk of ovarian/womb cancer. I’m less worried about womb cancer as the symptoms are easier to spot, but ovarian cancer is something that troubles me.

I’ve had several quotes for a private hysterectomy (abdominal) and it’s around £8k.

Remove your tubes if you are worried about ovarian cancer, no need to remove uterus or ovaries.

@Worldgonecrazy I mean this kindly, but it's a medical decision rather than yours. You really need to see a specialist gynae who is an expert in gynae cancers. Even if you can pay for the operation, no doctor will do it if it's not in your best interests.

Late menopause doesn't increase risks of womb or ovary cancer as far as I know- have you been told that?

You could be advised to have a removal of your ovaries but not womb.

BUT ultrasound has improved hugely and you might be advised to have an annual scan. There are some excellent consultants (in London) who specialise in spotting gynae cancers and ovarian cancer by scanning, far more accurately than ever before.

Also, you may find your periods stop soon and 54 isn't considered late. There is no reason why you think you might go till 60- that's almost unheard of.

The average age is 51 but there are women on either side of that age.

Thank you @JinglingSpringbells If you could pm me the names of the specialists that would be helpful, or where you think I might be able to source the information?

There are many studies which suggest menopause after the age of 55 (which is considered’late’) has many great health benefits but does increase risks of a small number of oestrogen linked /female cancers. Given my age there is now no way I will reach menopause (12 months without a period) before 55. The regularity of my periods and complete lack of menopause symptoms suggests it is at least a year beyond that. Cancer U.K. and Harvard.edu both have information so it’s not just randoms on the internet 😉

My writing was unclear around timing- it is the operation I would be looking to have at age 59-60, not that my periods would continue to that age.

It is useful to know that removal of ovaries / fallopians is an alternative possibility. My initial thinking was to remove two risk factors with one operation but it may be that the lesser operation is worthy of further consideration and could provide the same benefits without undergoing the major of the two surgeries.

Thank you again to everyone who has shared information and thoughts.