er- and ovary suppression

[*_tami_*]

Has anyone that is er- had their ovaries out to help prevent recurrance? A/C put me into menopause at 44 and after 9 months my period came back - a little sporadic but definitely back...every 3 - 6 weeks. I mentioned this to my onc's nurse practioner on Friday when I got my herceptin treatment and told her that it felt good to have my body bounce back but she said that it was a bad thing that my period was back. I have an appt with my onc this Friday and I will discuss this with here then but thought I would gather insight from this group before my appt.

Thanks
Tami

[Margaret]

Hi Tami,
Just wanted to share my experience. I also was put into menopause by the A/C treatment, but my ovaries kicked back in also. I have had regular periods now for the last 2 years. I'm 42 now. I'm happy to have them! I was also er- and pr-. I'm so happy now just to keep my body as it is and stay as healthy and as 'normal' as possible. I think the herceptin really helped me and I don't plan on doing any other treatment. There will always be people with lots of theories and ideas of what to do to prevent recurrance. But I'm not going to live in the fear or the what if's. I'm also going to avoid any unnecessary surgery and taking any kind of medicine. The way I figure it is I'll live as healthy a lifestyle as possible (lots of veggies, fruits, healthy food) get good exercise and sleep and keep my immune system strong. Anyway, just wanted to share my point of view. I hear of so many women now doing many drastic things to their bodies out of fear. I don't know, but I'm choosing to live in faith and if something does change in my body or recur, then I'll handle it then.
Have a fun day!
Margaret

[mts]

Even if you remove your ovaries your adipose tissue (fat) still secrets estrogen ( albeit minute amounts).

My first tumor was ER- and I was told my ovaries were OK to keep. I had a 2nd lumpectomy (not seen on mammo) one month after the first lumpectomy that showed ER 5% pos and PR-. Now I am on Tamoxifen for that 5%.

I believe ovarian aablation is overkill for ER/PR-. Eventhough I am on Tamoxifen, had I not been ER pos 5%/PR- I would keep the rest of my body intact. DO you really want to be reminded you have cancer everytime you get a hot flash?

I understand being fearful of recurrance. We all are. If you had aggressive chemo and currently NED then you are a SURVIVOR. Live your title.

If you're more concerned about ovarian cancer (which is more difficult to detect and you carry BRCA mutation then, yes- remove the twins. Otherwise I agree with Tami.

This is just my opinion-

mts

[Guest]

Hi Margaret, how long were you on herceptin?

[SusanAnne]

Hi Tami,

I am ER-, PR+. I also was thrown into chemopause for 13 months. At that time I asked to switch to Arimidex from Tamoxifen. Two months later my period returned. I have been having more drastic menopausal symptoms ever since! I am having my ovaries out on Monday and will go back to the Arimidex (which works better for HER2 women BTW). Good luck.

Susan