Recommendation after Radical Hysterectomy

Going through breast cancer treatment Top tips and practical support
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Hi,

I was diagnosed with breast cancer 2023. I was 46 yo when I was diagnosed. Premenopausal.

Completed my chemo 2023 with mastectomy and opted for delayed breast reconstruction - completed 2025.

Started on Tamoxifen 2024 , since I was ER positive (highly positive). Stage 1, grade 2. No lymph node involvement. No radiation required.

After a year and 9 months of Tamoxifen.

As part of f/u consult with my Gynaecologists- I have a fibroid and polys in my uterus. Biopsy result : atypical which is not good.

Recommendation : Hysterectomy

Considering the risk of developing another cyst / polyps somewhere in my ovaries. Breast and ovaries are good friends.

I decided to have my ovaries, fallopian tubes removed as well.

I am 16 post op day.

Resumed tamoxifen and have a consult with my oncologist next month. Review options since I’m post menopausal now at 48 y.0.

The tamoxifen was really hard for me but I put up with it since the benefits out weights the risk. Aromatase inhibitors have more side effects than tamoxifen.

I was wondering if anyone was on tamoxifen before and have shifted to letrozole - does it get better?

The risk of osteoporosis is high for aromatase inhibitors and my baseline dex is showing mild osteopenia.

I am just worried.

I feel like my life have changed after BC.

No underlying condition.

Not on any medication.

But since I started on all these cancer drugs - there’s always something for something.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations or any thoughts about my concern.

It would be of great help. :slightly_smiling_face:

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Hi

Im currently on tamaxifen and have been for 2 years now im 37 and waiting for a ultrasound scan as ive been having some gynological issues….if you dont mind can i ask were you havinh any symtoms or was it just a routine check? Im the same i had breast cacer 2021 at 31 then again 2023 and my body just feels old now.

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Hello. I’m now on Anastrazole after tamoxifen and tried Letrazole pre menopausal before Tamoxifen. I struggled with Zoladex and Letrazole but since have changed to Zoladex and Anastrazole, waiting for an Oophorectomy and can honestly say that my side effects are ok currently. I have heard a lot of people change AI’s and cope better on one than the other. I hope you find what works for you and all the best x

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Hi,

As far as I know after a year of tamoxifen it’s a routine check that you would be referred by your oncologist to a gynaecologist. Because of the secondary endometrial cancer which is an expected s/e of tamox. I have to advocate myself for this that I need to be seen. It’s easy to overlook this referrals. Close monitoring is required for hormone therapy.

So I had my gynae consult last year ( after a yr and half of waiting). U/s was done which is standard procedure. There was uterine thickening and polyps and fibroids was seen. I don’t have any sx. But the. The risk of taking tamoxifen is higher so my gynae advise that I undergo scraping and biopsy. So I did that and the biopsy result came atypical ( which behaves like cancer cells) with tamoxifen it can easily shift to being cancerous. So for prevention, it was recommended that I undergo hysterectomy. But I decided to have everything removed because of the risk. I know eventually I will be brought again to that operating table and be poked!

It’s hard. For every cancer txt we have we suffer so many side effects tha our quality of life is compromised.

I was diagnosed at the age of 45 and completed my surgeries and chemo at the age of 48 and then another surgery again.

TBH girls - it’s best to have a copy of everything ( from your medical team)

As far as I know baseline dex is mandatory- because of risk of osteoporosis.

Even if my oncologist don’t say I need bloods every 6 months.

I have my bloods monitored every 6 months.

Because this medications is hard on our liver, affects our heart, affects our blood sugar level. It’s different for everybody.

I just want to be on top of the game.

I’m the type of person who wants to know everything so I am prepared and equipped for this dreadful battle. @ I get you Liz, it does affect our body. Because of the lack of Estrogen. I feel the same too! Let’s look at what we can do to fight this… because we have limited options. To fight or to give up.
I’m doing my own research- how to fight and manage this side effects.

It works for me, just do what works for you.

People have different coping skills.

Xoxo

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Hi, thought i would update on here…i had my ultrasound yesterday and it showed a septated cyst on my right ovary but the most worrying was 36.7mm endometrial thickening. My GP has done an urgent referal to gynacology. Im trying not to read too much as google can be terrifiying

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@lizO89 Hi Liz,

I’m glad you went to your gp and have it checked. If you are on Tamoxifen- tamoxifen can cause this thickening. That’s why it’s always good to have a yearly review while on tamox with a gynaecologist.

I know it’s hard not to worry, I can understand it’s the most normal response we have when we hear such news.

I hope you get an appointment to be seen urgently.