HER2 Support Group Forums - View Single Post

AlaskaAngel · 08-13-2012, 02:03 PM

We tend to lean toward believing chemotherapy is the "most effective" treatment for breast cancer, but for those who are least menopausal, chemotherapy may only provide temporary or limited protection from ovarian influence. It may be that removal of the ovaries would actually provide at least some patients with more protection from recurrence than chemotherapy. Naturally, the younger one is, the more difficult it is to accept full menopausal status (in terms of planned pregnancies, as well as a more fulfilling sexuality for a longer length of life). In addition, menopausal symptoms and status is only one SE of chemotherapy and the host of drugs used in support of chemotherapy.

This too raises the question again about whether combining removal of the ovaries with trastuzumab may actually be fully protective against recurrence for certain breast cancer patients, rather than combining it with chemotherapy.

If the stem cell info from Fred Hutch study holds up, then it would be even more reason to avoid the chemo and substitute ovarian removal.

08-13-2012, 02:03 PM	#1
AlaskaAngel Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 2,018	Re: Menopausal status and choosing therapies We tend to lean toward believing chemotherapy is the "most effective" treatment for breast cancer, but for those who are least menopausal, chemotherapy may only provide temporary or limited protection from ovarian influence. It may be that removal of the ovaries would actually provide at least some patients with more protection from recurrence than chemotherapy. Naturally, the younger one is, the more difficult it is to accept full menopausal status (in terms of planned pregnancies, as well as a more fulfilling sexuality for a longer length of life). In addition, menopausal symptoms and status is only one SE of chemotherapy and the host of drugs used in support of chemotherapy. This too raises the question again about whether combining removal of the ovaries with trastuzumab may actually be fully protective against recurrence for certain breast cancer patients, rather than combining it with chemotherapy. If the stem cell info from Fred Hutch study holds up, then it would be even more reason to avoid the chemo and substitute ovarian removal. __________________ Dx 2002 age 51 bc for granny, aunt, cousin, sister, mother. ER+/PR+/HER2+++, grade 3 IDC 1.9 cm, some DCIS, Stage 1, Grade 3 Lumpectomy, CAFx6 (no blood boosters), IMRT rads, 1 3/4 yr tamoxifen Rads necrosis BRCA 1 & 2 negative Trials: Early detection OVCA; 2004 low-dose testosterone for bc survivors Diet: Primarily vegetarian organic; metformin (no diabetes), vitamin D3 Exercise: 7 days a week, 1 hr/day No trastuzumab, no taxane, no AI NED Last edited by AlaskaAngel; 08-13-2012 at 02:06 PM..