I have grade 3, stage 2b, multi focal her2 positive in right breast and one lymph node. I had a mastectomy and implant reconstruction. I’m 5/6 through docetaxil & carboplatin, with phsego injections 3 weekly and radiotherapy for 3-4 weeks after chemo has finished.
My cancer is not hormone positive but my oncologist has told me to have my mirena coil removed, when I was told by another oncologist, at the start of treatment, I could keep it.
I am hearing mixed opinions on this. Will having the mirena heighten my chances of getting hormone positive cancer going forward?
I have just been on the menopause and cancer workshop about hormonal and non hormonal treatments post cancer. The session will be posted on their website soon. www.menopauseandcancer.org. Today we had a menopause specialist from Brighton and Hove area. Somebody asked about the Mirena coil and she said there is research that it can increase your changes of recurrence. Obviously she doesn’t know everyone’s medical history so was answering in a generic way.
I had a coil and was ER+ and HER2+ not PR+ but still needed my coil removed.
I found this article on
I would suggest you talk to your Breast care nurse or the BCN nurses on 0808 8006000 to talk it through.
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@naughty_boob thanks for the info. I’ll be speaking to the BCN’s tomorrow but I think they do as oncologist instructs. I’ll have a look at your links though x
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Hello songbird1
Thanks for your post. It’s understandable that you’re asking if having a Mirena will increase your risk of developing a hormone positive cancer in the future. Receiving conflicting information can be frustrating and confusing.
There have been studies looking at the use of the IUS in women with hormone receptor negative breast cancers. The risk of breast cancer recurrence is not yet known.
Currently the manufacturer says they shouldn’t be used in women who have (or are suspected of having) a hormone sensitive breast cancer. However, some oncologists may agree to women with hormone negative breast cancer to use an IUS, but this would be on a case-by-case basis.
Further studies are needed to provide more conclusive evidence about the safety of IUS in women with a history of breast cancer. You could speak to your GP about the possibility of alternative forms of non-hormonal contraception, such as an Intra Uterine Device (IUD).
Information, in terms of contraception after breast cancer, has also recently been made available, which may be of interest to you.
As @naughty_boob says, do go back to your breast care nurse or oncologist to discuss the appropriate options for you which it looks like you are planning to do.
Talking to someone who has had a similar experience can often be helpful. Our Someone Like Me service can match you with a trained volunteer who’s had a similar experience to you. You can be in touch with your volunteer by phone or email and they can share their personal experiences to answer your questions, offer support or simply listen to how you are feeling.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0800 138 6551 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org, so they can then match you to your volunteer.
We also offer a range of other services to support anyone affected by breast cancer, which you may be interested in.
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 more support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks. The number is 0808 800 6000, If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Addie
Breast Care Nurse
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