Breast cancer and HRT - is there a Dr who can help?

[CardiffCathy]

I had breast cancer a few years ago and thought I couldn't have HRT (the NHS still tells me I can't). However, new studies says it might be alright if it is bio identical. Does anyone know of a Dr that specialises?

@jinglingspringbells is your best bet for help with that

Following. I haven’t had BC but take tamoxifen preventative because of family history of BC. I am hoping to speak to GP about use of topical vaginal estrogen as heard this can be taken alongside tamoxifen.

There's an excellent facebook group called 'HRT after breast cancer' that's got loads of good information including a list of supportive doctors in various parts of the country. Some GP surgeries have a menopause specialist nurse and they tend to be more clued up on recent research. There's a private clinic, Louise Newson/ the Newson clinic which has an excellent reputation and I think they do online appointments.
And vaginal oestrogen is safe for everyone to use as it's only absorbed locally and is a tiny dose.
I had breast cancer in '24 but felt so awful on the letrozole they gave me that I did a lot of reading and decided I valued quality of life most. My understanding is that bio identical hormones don't cause cancer, but that if there is active cancer in the body it can utilse the oestrogen. I weighed up the pros and cons and for me it was an obvious choice. If you still have access to the breast nurses at your hospital I found mine really helpful at looking at what the various numbers around risk/ the Predict score etc actually mean. Hope you find someone who can help.

If private healthcare is an option for you, Newson Health are excellent and they specialise in menopause care. You can usually get an online appointment within a few days

Hi @CardiffCathy Yes, there is new thinking on this.There is a slow turn around in the medical profession that for some women HRT may be possible.

I read something about it a few months ago-it was online. I've just seen your post so I can dig around a bit to see which dr it was. I think it was a breast consultant who was saying that rather than a menopause specialist.

It's been the case for a while that there are some private consultants who will, if women are really suffering with meno symptoms, will prescribe hrt after looking at your individual risk/ benefits. I think you'd have to see someone privately as the average GP won't touch this as it's against guidance and they don't have the expertise.

As someone said Dr Louise Newson's clinics would do this for you I'm pretty sure but you could also look at the consultants on Hormone Health (London) where there may be one who specialises in women in your position. There are also other consultants but I'd rather not name them here.

@butternut123 Do a bit of research online first. There are some drugs like the one you're on which means vaginal estrogen doesn't work with them.

it's not a contraindication or increases your risk, but the fact the drug 'zaps' anything with estrogen, but there are alternatives.

If you google ' tamoxifen used with topical vaginal estrogen' it will show it. I think your option would be Intrarosen (sp) otherwise known as DHEA

I'd recommend Suzannah Unsworth. I had an online consultation with her years ago and have also heard her speak. Details here.
https://cambridgewomenshealth.co.uk/about/

@JinglingSpringbellsthanks so much- I’ll definitely look into that

Thank you everyone, it has been really helpful.

I think it's the aromatose inhibitors that are the issue - but ask your specialist.