HRT after endometrial cancer

[TheDogsMother]

I am currently recovering from a hysterectomy after having been diagnosed with early stage endometrial cancer. It was stage 1, contained and they feel confident that they have managed to remove it all.

My consultant mentioned about resuming HRT and said that generally it is not advised if a woman has had endometrial cancer. However the school of thought regarding stage one cases that it would be very low (but not no) risk. I am trying to work out if the low risk would be balanced by the ongoing benefits of taking it (heart and bone health, dementia risk). Prior to the surgery I took HRT for about three years and I am 60 now.

Has any one else had to make this choice ?

Bump bump

No one can give a full answer as we don't know all your medical history.

However, you can google RCOG (Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) and I'm pretty sure their guidance (on a leaflet) on this says that for stage 1, women can have HRT afterwards.

I can’t help, but I’m in the same boat after stage zero DCIS breast cancer.

HRT changed my life. I had an early menopause at 34, started HRT at 42. It made such a difference.

I think if I pushed, then I would probably get it, but I don’t know. I feel like I just want space to make the decision myself. Plus just an understanding of the research.

I had stage 1 in 2020 and asked about HRT. My oncologist wouldn't prescribe it. I've managed so far - I was 48 on diagnosis and am 51 now, and for a while did consider going to a private menopause consultant as NHS provision is woeful where I am, but haven't so far. I do have Vagifem though which initially I was told would be for 3 months only, but 2 years later, I still have it.

I've read that patients who've had early stage cancer have a very small risk of it coming back so it is possible to get it, but I think you need a consultant who is up to date on current research which many aren't.

TBH I think if you want to pursue this, you might have to find a consultant who is well informed, working privately, and maybe that needs a trip to London where there are many to choose from. There's such a huge difference in what women are being advised (from posts on this forum) and although I'm not saying yours is wrong, it's always worth getting a 2nd or 3rd opinion.

Thank you all for your responses. @JinglingSpringbells I think you are right and I may have to find someone privately. My hospital consultant seems pretty knowledgeable but of course it may not be her main area of expertise.

I am just feeling pretty flat and listless which may be the aftermath of surgery or the lack of HRT but at age 60 I am also wondering if it's time to give it up for good. When they removed all the bits during surgery I think they took my mojo with them !

Id def want to stay within the NHS for this. You would need to push for a referral to your local menopause services and take it from there.