Page 2 | HRT and cancer risk

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 2025-05-08T08:55:20+00:00

I'm in peri and can't continue like this. I'm constantly stressed and angry, feeling hot, exhausted, can't sleep, have worsening of other conditions. I feel literally like I can't cope. Dr (I think it was a Dr anyway- phone appt) will put me on hrt. However, my mum had breast cancer (triple negative) and my paternal nan died of an unknown type of it. The Dr said there's a high risk if I have a breast cancer gene. She didn't seem to know what triple negative cancer is. Well I have no idea about the gene as my mum died so I can't ask her. I would really rather not deal with bc even though currently i feel so depressed and don't much care. Has anyone with a family history of bc taken hrt? Was it OK? Do you have the bc gene? Was hrt worth it for you?

PaintedPebbles · 09/05/2025 15:48

I had hormone positive breast cancer in my early 30s and was advised by my oncologist never to take any form of HRT. I wasn’t offered any genetic testing.

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 09/05/2025 16:02

JinglingSpringbells · 09/05/2025 12:57

Have you watched the Michael Baum video?
It will be far more helpful than anything your GP can tell you.

In a nutshell, his advice is go for quality of life EVEN IF you tested positive for the BRACa gene.

What do you mean by 'rare'? The fact your mum was in her 70s or the type of breast cancer?

It's not rare to get BC as you get older- age is the biggest risk factor. Most cases are in women over 70.

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I will watch it thanks.

By rare I was referring to a previous poster saying that triple negative bc usually occurs in women under 50. My mum was older.

OP posts:

MagellanicPenguin · 09/05/2025 16:06

That's the same as me @PaintedPebbles other than I was 48. I was also told if cancer comes back it can be a different type of breast cancer so just because first one was hormone negative or positive doesn't mean a secondary stage 4 one would be. This seems to explain.

gmcancer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GM-Cancer-Hormone-Replacement-Therapy-after-Breast-Cancer-Leaflet-V1.0-05Jan2023-2.pdf

PaintedPebbles · 09/05/2025 16:26

MagellanicPenguin · 09/05/2025 16:06

That's the same as me @PaintedPebbles other than I was 48. I was also told if cancer comes back it can be a different type of breast cancer so just because first one was hormone negative or positive doesn't mean a secondary stage 4 one would be. This seems to explain.

gmcancer.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/GM-Cancer-Hormone-Replacement-Therapy-after-Breast-Cancer-Leaflet-V1.0-05Jan2023-2.pdf

Yes - on reading the leaflet it says that spread to other parts of the body is more likely if someone has had a hormone-positive breast cancer and takes HRT.

It also recommends that people who have had non-hormonal breast cancer don’t take HRT.

I will not risk it.

TiswasPhantomFlanFlinger · 09/05/2025 18:39

eurochick · 08/05/2025 20:52

I’m in a similar position. My mum has breast cancer in her 40s and now in her 70s has two more kinds of breast cancer. All three kinds are hormone receptive. Her mum also had breast cancer (not sure what type).

My GP has said I might be able to have HRT but I am reluctant despite awful symptoms. I’m currently trying to manage by treating the worst of the symptoms. I currently have triptans for the hormonal migraines and tranexamic acid to reduce the flooding. I take magnesium to help with sleep. I have found anything for the hot flushes or awful low mood though.

Try sage for hot flushes.

JinglingSpringbells · 09/05/2025 19:37

PaintedPebbles · 09/05/2025 16:26

Yes - on reading the leaflet it says that spread to other parts of the body is more likely if someone has had a hormone-positive breast cancer and takes HRT.

It also recommends that people who have had non-hormonal breast cancer don’t take HRT.

I will not risk it.

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Some of that info is now out of date. One article from one health care trust is not a definitive guide.

Almost all women now are allowed to use vaginal estrogen.

OP doesn't know if she has a risk, or if so, how great it is, so the risks that apply to women who've already had BC aren't relevant at the moment.

I'm not saying that women who have had BC should or shouldn't use HRT but this is a continuing debate and there are many different opinions. Some specialists argue that quality of life is more important than length of life (something Prof Michael Baum discusses as he has prescribed for many women post BC.)

OP needs to find out her correct family history and then speak to a specialist.

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 09/05/2025 20:26

Thanks for the advice.

I'm going to submit a request for access to my mum's health records to find out whether she did indeed have triple negative bc as I suspect.

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Maddy70 · 09/05/2025 20:46

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 09/05/2025 10:23

Thanks for sharing your very personal stories everyone. I appreciate it. I'm here reading I'm just unwell and have limited energy. I've been prescribed the gel but very reluctant atm. I'm certain my mum had triple negative bc but my sister thinks it was hormone related. She's not always very accurate in what she says though. I want to find a letter somewhere which states what type my mum had...if I can find them.

Apparently hrt is not too risky if you only take it for a year...anyone know if that's correct?

Thw negative means it is not hormone dependent so you can take her. I have triple negative breast cancer and I'm so glad I could take her. I don't think I could have coped with the cancer and menopause at the same time

PaintedPebbles · 09/05/2025 20:51

JinglingSpringbells · 09/05/2025 19:37

Some of that info is now out of date. One article from one health care trust is not a definitive guide.

Almost all women now are allowed to use vaginal estrogen.

OP doesn't know if she has a risk, or if so, how great it is, so the risks that apply to women who've already had BC aren't relevant at the moment.

I'm not saying that women who have had BC should or shouldn't use HRT but this is a continuing debate and there are many different opinions. Some specialists argue that quality of life is more important than length of life (something Prof Michael Baum discusses as he has prescribed for many women post BC.)

OP needs to find out her correct family history and then speak to a specialist.

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I’ve read multiple peer-reviewed medical papers. I don’t rely on patient leaflets.

JinglingSpringbells · 09/05/2025 21:45

PaintedPebbles · 09/05/2025 20:51

I’ve read multiple peer-reviewed medical papers. I don’t rely on patient leaflets.

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I didn't mean the comments for you in particular, but for other readers of the posts (anyone who reads but isn't actively joining in) who might not read other things.

NoNameMum · 10/05/2025 09:57

At the moment I can cope and decided not to risk it. My mum died from breast cancer at 38 back in 1983. As it was so long ago there’s no record of what type and family members can’t remember.
I’ve been getting annual mammograms since 35 and I’m now 50. GP took me off the pill after 10 years and wouldn’t prescribe anything else with oestrogen in it so I’ve not even asked about HRT. Just starting some natural supplements that I’m hoping will help.

NoNameMum · 10/05/2025 10:00

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 09/05/2025 10:23

Thanks for sharing your very personal stories everyone. I appreciate it. I'm here reading I'm just unwell and have limited energy. I've been prescribed the gel but very reluctant atm. I'm certain my mum had triple negative bc but my sister thinks it was hormone related. She's not always very accurate in what she says though. I want to find a letter somewhere which states what type my mum had...if I can find them.

Apparently hrt is not too risky if you only take it for a year...anyone know if that's correct?

Could you ask if her medical records are still available?
I appreciate the NHS (if you’re in the uk) don’t have as much funding as they did 20 years ago when I started having conversations with my GP about this, but my local trust have a family history department and they looked for my mum’s medical records for me. She died in 1983 so very little was found, but if it’s more recent they may be able to help you.

Original poster

Idontknowhatnametochoose · 10/05/2025 10:14

NoNameMum · 10/05/2025 10:00

Could you ask if her medical records are still available?
I appreciate the NHS (if you’re in the uk) don’t have as much funding as they did 20 years ago when I started having conversations with my GP about this, but my local trust have a family history department and they looked for my mum’s medical records for me. She died in 1983 so very little was found, but if it’s more recent they may be able to help you.

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Yes I'm going to do this. My mum only died two years ago and her breast cancer was in 2010. I will contact her surgery on Monday.

OP posts:

MagellanicPenguin · 10/05/2025 11:14

@NoNameMum So sorry about your Mum. I don't think they categorised breast cancer by type until around 2000 and treatments have changed a fair amount, now being type dependent and success rates have also improved. I also don't do HRT with being on Tamoxifen and oncologist advising against but I haven't found it too bad though that maybe as chemo preceeded it. I do miss the 300 extra calories of cake I could eat a day before it. The only thing I take is Wellwoman 50 vitamins some days, was advised to take calcium and vitamin D every day by oncologist for bones but I drink lots of milk / have cheese and scans haven't been too bad. Swimming and exercise is what I find helps the most and staying normal BMI. I never have hot flushes. Sleep anti histamines sometimes.

Hope you can get results @Idontknowhatnametochoose

Starchipenterprise · 10/05/2025 18:57

corinnne menn (Drmennobgyn) is on Instagram - was a sufferer herself and posts on Instagram. I believe she is very knowledgeable on HRT and breast cancer. Good luck, I’m sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope you get sorted.