Hi there,
I haven’t visited this site for a while, as I’m feeling really well, but found it enourmsly supportive when I was first diagnosed and undergoing treatment. However, I was wondering if there was anyone out there who could help, as I have been thinking about this recently.
I’m 40 - diagnosed at 38, Grade 1, WLE, 6 lymph nodes removed (no spread) & radiotherapy. I’ve been on Tamoxifen and Zoladex for 18 months with all the “lovely” side effects. When I was 27 I had a hysterectomy due to endometrial cancer, but I still have my ovaries.
I have another 5 months of Zoladex before I finish my 2-year course, and I’m wondering, to keep me safe from any recurrences, whether I should opt to have my overies removed. This was something my Onc mentioned as a possible option when I first saw him.
The last thing I want is another op, especially as I’m feeling back to “normal” now, and after having had a hysterectomy, I don’t know how straight forward the op would be.
Or, what would be the alternative? What treatment is generally offered after Zoladex (if you are still premenopausal), or do you just carry on with the tamoxifen and hope for the best?
If I do opt for the Ovary removal - will I still need to take Tamoxifen?
Oh decisions, decisions - would really welcome anyones advice or feedback from your own experiences.
Thanks so much
Lynne x
Hi Lynne
After much research and deliberation I have decided to get my ovaries removed. My onc was talking about switching them off with zoladex. I am 45, married with 2 children. I have had period problems for a number of years now too. I have not had a hysterectomy but will be having only the tubes and overies removed with a telescope. Overnight stay at hospital. I feel that since having breast cancer and now at risk of ovarian cancer I would like to lessen the risk. So no ovaries, no ovarian cancer.
You probably could have this done through a telescope too. As far as I know following this then you can move onto arimidex instead of tamoxifen. There is no risk of endometrial cancer with arimidex but you would not be at risk of that anyway as you have no uterus.
Hope this helps
X
Hi, I had breast cancer a few years ago, and had a mastectomy, radiotherapy, chemo and herceptin. At the time my doctor mentioned having my ovaries removed but back then I was more concerned about the BC and didnt do it. When I finished all the treatment I went on to zolodex to stop my period.
I decided a few months ago to go ahead and get my ovaries out and I had the surgery 6 weeks ago. It was keyhole and I must say it was all good, only a little discomfort for a few days. I went in the evening before surgery and was out the day after. I have to continue taking the tamoxofen but no longer have to get the zolodex injections.
Hope this helps.
Hi there Lynne,
I was dx Dec 07 grade 2 nodes and margins clear so rads, zoladex and tamoxifen also 39…40 in six weeks. I have decided to have my ovaries out at the end of zoladex or sooner if I get fed up with the injections. I understand how you feel about another op. I was going to have it done after my hols in September but have decided to leave it until the end of the zoladex for exactly the same reason as you, I just feel I have been messed about with enough this year.
I have decided to go ahead with it after reading a few threads in here discussing the op etc. It always seems to be done by keyhole and only has one night in hospital and some ladies have even been home the same day.
Good luck with making the decision. Shonagh x
Hi All
Well, I did it!!! The ovaries are gone! I am totally delighted and feel I have done the right thing. Hardly any pain only discomfort and was back on my feet the same day. I was worried about the operation but it wasn’t a fraction as bad as I thought it would be. I just felt I had to get it done and the sooner the better.
Good luck to anyone who is thinking about it.
X
Hi
Hope you dont mind me asking but why do some women have zoladex or have their overies removed.I am 46 had chemo,rads and am now taking tamoxifen.I come on the site most days since diagnosed in sep 07 but dont post very often.
love to you all mel
I would have mine out tomorrow if I got the chance - am even planning to raise the issue with the onc next week.
I had a severe abdominal infection about 18 months ago - the medics were never quite certain why, but a 14-year-old coil might have had something to do with it (duh!). Ovaries became very swollen but shrank afterwards; they asked me if I wanted them out but I told them I wasn’t that kind of doc & asked if they could they decide. They said I could choose the ops. (pinhole surgery) if infection recurred, which it didn’t. Bc instead. The CT scan before starting chemo showed a 6 cm cyst in right ovary though an inept gyno wielding an ultrasound said she thought it might be swelling in the fallopian tube - I’d like another opinion but it won’t change my decision. Long & short of it, I’m having them out as soon as I’ve done chemo & rads - maybe the uterus as well. The medics are fine with that. I’m 50 - it’s just extra baggage & the ops are minor; I have good friends who have had them with minimal fuss & discomfort. And if they ain’t there, they can’t get cancer.
As having had strongly hormone receptor BC, I had chances of developing ovarian cancer. Having the ovaries removed then takes this risk away. Also, zoladex shuts down the ovaries and preserves them. I was not going to need them again and felt “at Risk” having all those hormones running around my system. The patholgy report from having them removed was good and showed that they were healthy. I am pleased I have been in control and dealt with this before they had the chance to cause me any problems. My Gynaecologist says she does around 8 of these a month for the same reason as mine. Hope this makes sense and helps anyone considering this.
x
Hiya, I am ER/PR positive but strangely when I mentioned my fears of ovarian cancer to my BCN she said that it was not common for breast cancer to spread to the ovaries and that, therefore, I did not need to worry. Of course, I do and reading this thread, while not causing me to worry any more, has certainly furthered my resolve to speak to the oncologist about their removal at the next opportunity. Thankyou.
Naz
Hi Naz
I hope you have not been too upset by this thread. (((((HUGS)))))
I thought that I was sharing my experience and worries regarding all of the sh*t that comes with this dreaded disease. You are doing the right thing to discuss it with your oncologist. My oncologist was all for it but I suppose it depends on each individual case.
There certainly is always something to worry about. I don’t think I knew what worry was until all this happened to me.
Let us know how you get on
x
Hi Rarebird, upset? No, not really - no more than I usually am anyway! Until this all happened you didn’t really know what worry was? I agree - or at least would have done earlier on today - but today has just got progressively worse. My partner -with whom I’ve hardly been speaking the last couple of days - I have not felt loved - heard today that he’s lost his job, so is now facing redundancy, which is just adding to our worries. I’m no materialist and there are more important things than money but the prospect of him being out of work really worries me. And I can’t say anything to him to make him feel any better about it… Just feel hopeless. Strangely, in comparison, the prospect of ovarian cancer now doesn’t seem so worrying…
Thank you so much for your concern. Just got to try and look on the bright side. The sun is shining at least.
x
Oh Naz!
It never rains but it pours. Sometimes I think “what have I ever done to deserve all this”. I think probably most of us are not materialistic but at the end of the day the bills have to be paid. My heart goes out to you. Hopefully you can patch things up and another job may come along quickly. Enjoy the sun while it shines.
Sending you lots of cyber hugs
x
Thank you, rarebird. I’ve started crying again - which isn’t a bad thing - think I’ve just been holding it all in - but things will work themselves out whichever way they work out I suppose. Could really do with the hugs - so thank you - and not just me - he won’t let me in to talk (and I’ve pushed him away because I’m afraid of losing him - its all so silly - we are, indeed, irrational beings sometimes).
x