Hi everyone, little background story- before Cancer I was getting my bmi down to start fertility treatment, my bmi was 31.
I got breast cancer (TNBC) in May -24, finished chemotherapy- Nov, Surgery Dec and completed my immunotherapy in July this year. My bmi after cancer was like 40/41! So I have put loads on. I gave myself time to recover from my double mastectomy. From February, I started weekly PT sessions, calorie counting, gym, steps etc. The weight is coming off slowly.
My GP referred me to ‘Oviva’ this is a weight management programme. I have waited from March for this, only to recently been discharged from it (because my GP didn’t give them the information) my GP rang me and said it’s private anyway and they don’t deal with them. She said the NHS waiting list is 18 months but I wouldn’t be offended them anyway (injections)
I am stressing because I am 37 in January, I want to get the weight off as soon as I can, have children then because of the BRCA1 gene, I will need my ovaries out. I have worked out I need to lose 4.5 stone now! I just want some help getting there quicker. I just got a new oncologist and asked him, he didn’t say either way same as my nurse. I just wanted to have a conversation with a doctor to say I am safe to take them.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
The nurses will be back after the bank holiday tomorrow and will answer you question soon after.
Gosh you have been through a lot. I’m older but did put on quite a bit of weight from chemo and other treatments. It’s taken nearly a year to get back to a good weight/BMI. But I do understand your time constraints re fertility and BRCA1 gene.
https://brcachat.com/ is supportive for BRCA community.
Hi jadem,
Thank you for posting.
It sounds like a difficult time for you, as @naughty_boob says, you’ve been through a lot. Please do call us on our helpline if you’d like to talk this through. We often find we can help people more by talking on the phone.
It’s understandable that you’d like to lose weight quickly to be able to start fertility treatment to have a child before thinking about risk reducing oophorectomy (removing your ovaries) due to your BRCA 1 gene alteration. It’s a lot to think about and can often feel overwhelming. I wonder if you saw a genetic specialist to discuss your BRCA 1 results? You may find it helpful to contact them for support at this time.
It sounds like you’ve already made some lifestyle changes to reduce your weight. Research has shown that getting to a healthy BMI and regular physical activity are both important to manage the side effects of breast cancer treatment and to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back (recurrence), and it sounds like you have already made great progress with this.
You ask about weight loss injections, having spoken to your oncologist and breast care nurse who weren’t able to give a definite answer. There are very few studies looking at the use of weight loss injections for women with a previous history of breast cancer so it’s not possible to know if they are safe for people who have had breast cancer. Research is looking at if weight loss injections may be helpful for some people. At present, we need more evidence to know who may benefit and if they are safe for people who have had breast cancer. You may find the information on weight loss drugs injections and cancer from Macmillan helpful.
Although the waiting list for the NHS weight loss clinic is 18 months, and your GP mentioned they may not prescribe weight loss injections, you may want to ask to be referred so you can discuss other support that may be available for you. Some people do choose to obtain them privately if they fit the criteria. Like any medication, weight loss injections can have side effects, including significant side effects such as a risk of developing pancreatitis and are not suitable for everyone. So, it’s important to continue talking with your treatment team or GP if you do decide to go privately for the injections.
You may also find the WCRF nutrition helpline useful, to talk to an oncology dietician about this, and
the NHS Better Health website has some information that you may find helpful.
Our information about diet after breast cancer treatment and physical activity might be also be helpful to read.
We offer a range of supportive services that may be of interest for you. You can find more details about all of these in the link.
As mentioned above, please do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
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Best wishes
Cassie
Breast Care Nurse
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