HRT while awaiting assessment

Have I got breast cancer? Appointments and waiting for test results
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Hello,

I posted last year while going through assessment for a lump - which thankfully turned out to be benign - and this group was very kind and helpful. I hope you don’t mind me seeking some support again.

I found a new lump in my left breast and my GP is referring me to the breast clinic for review. It feels very similar to the fibroadenoma that I had last year and my GP thought it was likely benign, although I know nothing is certain until fully checked out.

Having been through the process last year I was expecting the referral but she blindsided me by telling me to come off HRT until breast cancer was ruled out. I was taken aback as she didn’t ask me to do this last year. I don’t think she is suggesting it due to any elevated concern based on her examination, it seemed more like a general protocol.

I’ve since tried to find guidance that this is the normal recommendation but can’t seem to find anything solid. I’ve also been weighing up the risks v benefits. My current thinking is that I’d prefer to stay on HRT for a few more weeks at least until my appointment at the breast clinic. I have suffered bad symptoms in the past and am quite anxious about doing so again unless and until really necessary.

I know no one can give any medical advice but I guess I’m curious as to whether people received the same advice from their GPs? I suspect she is acting with an abundance of caution, which I appreciate, but it has thrown me quite a bit as I wasn’t expecting it!

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When I saw my GP about my lump last year I specifically asked if I needed to come off my HRT and she said no. But she then phoned me 2 days later and left a message telling me to stop it until after my breast clinic appointment. I think she’d gone off and checked guidelines afterwards.

As it turned out, I was at the breast clinic getting my diagnosis when she called! She didn’t know that.

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Thank you so much for responding. I am conscious this is probably quite a trivial concern in the overall scheme of things. I think having been through a scare last year and getting quite anxious my plan on a finding a new lump was to try to put it out of my mind until I’ve been to the clinic. So the request to come off the HRT threw me a bit!

interesting that your GP came back with the same approach. Sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I hope you are doing okay and I really appreciate you taking the time to reply.

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