Please chime in--for those with low bmi(weight) are you ER+ or ER-

Lani · 05-02-2006, 07:15 AM

We have previously commented on increasing bmi(weight) being inversely proportional to development of her2 positive breast cancer (ie more skinny people get her2 breast cancer). Here looking at ALL breast cancers they feel it is the ER- breast cancers which are NOT associated with increased bmi (weight). Of those who posted regarding their weight (or lack of it)--could you pipe in again regarding whether you were ER- or ER+. Her2 seems to be a different type of breast cancer altogether, but as they are lumping her2+ER+ in with other "luminal" subtype breast cancers, it would be interesting to see if in our small group of selected (talented, passionate, communicative participants on this board) her2 positive patients low bmi is associated with her2 even in the face of ER positivity.

Just a thought!

Mgarr · 05-02-2006, 07:30 AM

ER/PR- Her2+++

I was thin most of my life. Had extra weight for a couple of years so a year prior to my diagnosis started working w/ weights and lost about 20 lbs. Weight starting dropping quickly right before I found my lump -It was also a very stressful time in my life not sure if that was cause for weight loss.

Mary

mom22girlz · 05-02-2006, 07:45 AM

Just prior to my dx, I lost 25 lbs. I was not heavy, but started lifting weights and doing a more purposeful workout. I have been mostly thin my whole life, but had gained due to a terrible knee injury. I now consider myself regular slender!! Hope that helps. susan

Her+++ and ER +

Lani · 05-02-2006, 07:47 AM

you forgot to add your ER status!

Julie2 · 05-02-2006, 08:45 AM

I am always thin my whole life, even during pregnancy. I am her2+++ and ER-, PR-.

Julie

saleboat · 05-02-2006, 08:47 AM

I was (am) on the low end of normal for my 'ideal' BMI, but not below it.

The tumor that I had was ER+ and PR+.

Johanna Johannsdottir · 05-02-2006, 10:01 AM

Lani, you are good in researching.

dx 2002 with er+ tumor, 25+lymphnodes. (tests for Her was not routine then but are now)
rec.2005 stage IV in bones and small tumor in liver, Her++, er+

Was very normal in youth, not fat nor thin. Like most other women found me to fat 30-40 y.o and on diet and a diet. Im thick over stomach, back and arms, but thighs and legs are thin. Always in good shape othervice.

regards Jóhanna

callen03 · 05-02-2006, 10:30 AM

I was very thin until around 30-years-old. I gradually gained weight over the next 20 years. I lost 50 pounds, and a year later found the lump.

I am HER2+++, ER+/PR-.

dberg · 05-02-2006, 10:38 AM

Although I had a couple of heavy years in college (when I discovered beer), I have always been my ideal weight. I was 110lbs when I was dx. I am ER/PR +.

StephN · 05-02-2006, 11:11 AM

Don't recall if I answered your earlier poll.

I have never been overweight in my life and will be 57 this week. Overweight does not run in my family and neither does cancer.

Wore a size 6 when diagnosed in 2000 and am 5'5" or so. HER2+++.

Have "flabbed out" a bit with all the chemo that ran down my stamina so much and also loss of hormones. I do work out, but not more than 2 or 3 times a week (trying to hold the line) besides normal activity to keep up with a large house and yard. (I am ALWAYS behind on things - but cancer does that to us.)

JackieC · 05-02-2006, 11:22 AM

I've always been average to thin, but work out quite a bit as well. ER/PR- and HER+++

SherriT · 05-02-2006, 12:54 PM

I've been thin all my life (I am 37). I have gained about four pounds over the last five years, which I chalk up to changing jobs to a mostly desk job and from the birth of my son.

I am almost 5 feet 8 inches tall and usually weigh about 114 pounds. I am Her2+++ and ER/PR-

Christine MH-UK · 05-03-2006, 10:33 AM

I was very thin until I was 12 and from about 20-30. I was overweight when I was 13 and 14 and about right from 15-19 and 30-39 (when I was diagnosed). My cancer was ER-/PR-/Her2+++.

Take care,

Christine

karenann · 05-03-2006, 01:14 PM

Hi Lani,

I have always weighed about 114lbs and I am 5'5" tall. I am also, ER+ 95% and PR+ 10%.

Thanks ,
Karen

Maggie C · 05-03-2006, 02:31 PM

I was a size 6 until 2 years before I was diagnosed. At the time of my diagnosis 8/03 I was up to 162 lbs and size 14 - 5'4". ER-PR-. I am back down to size 4 at 125 lbs, at age 57. Started at stage III and now IV with liver and lung mets (to restart chemo in the next couple of weeks).

Maggie

kristen · 05-04-2006, 04:19 AM

Hi Lani,

I have always been in my ideal weight limit except when I got pregnant. .(and chemo, I climbed up to 155) I am 5'9" tall and weigh 135#. Have been putting the weight back on. Last summer was the lowest I had weighed for some reason, I couldn't put it on, I was even lower then when I was dx. and that was at 129#, last summer down to 124. Yikes. Feel much better with the wt. back on. er-/pr-. (I have heard you put on 10#'s with menopause, is that true?)

Maggie C · 05-04-2006, 10:25 AM

Now that would be a blessing : ) I also heard that weight loss can occur as a result of having liver mets. I cut out refined sugar, alcohol, soda drinks, etc. So I really can't say if my weight loss was a cancer thing, a chemo thing or just a better diet thing.

Maggie

RobinP · 05-04-2006, 05:26 PM

Yes, me too always thin, 107-125,5'7". Interestingly, it is the thin ones too that are more at risk using birth control pills with later bc development, according to some studies.

Sheila · 05-07-2006, 12:56 PM

Kristen, I have the 10 from menopause and then some,
I was always thin, wore a size 6 until I was diagnosed at 50, remained thin until the Herceptin and Menopause, now wish I could give the extra 22 pounds to someone, I have just conceded that the weight is my midlife crisis, menopause and Herceptin, and have dumped all the size 6's for 10's and some 12's.....OLD AGE IS NOT FOR SISSIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By the way, I was thin when diagnosed, Her2+++, ER PR -

kat in the delta · 05-06-2006, 10:21 PM

I have always been thin, but purposely so----now, I think it was a mistake to try and maintain my weight of 100 lbs when I am 5'-3". I also did not want to gain wt. during my chemo with BC, because {my sister had BC 6 yrs. ago,and her Onc told her the chemo for BC would make her GAIN lbs. She gained from 110lbs to 145 lbs. She was ER+PR+,but HER2-. She did not have her breast removed, but took A/C followed by Taxotere and Rad., then Tamoxifin, and now Aromasin. She is Still having a hard time trying to lose wt.,She got up to 150lbs, even dieting and exercising. Last week her doc. gave her some diet pills with a refill. You can see why I continued dieting thru chemo. Now, I'm TOO THIN and could stand to gain 10 lbs with exercise and toning. I am alittle on the anoxeric side from fear of becoming too fat.---Kat in the Delta