As a background, I had a full hyterectomy in 1995 and have been on HRT ever since.Diagnosed with Invasive ductal carcanoma last month (only .9 cm) however, cluster of smaller lumps evident, so decided on total mastectomy. Also biopsy showed lymph nodes affected. 9 days ago had mastectomy and lymph nodes removed. Only one lymph node in 12 positive, therefore told no radiotherapy needed. Cancer is triple negative and because of lymph node involvement, need chemo. My big problem at the moment is the result of coming off HRT. Hot flushes causing sleepness nights and not pleasant during the day. Got vaginal soreness, although been prescribed pessaries for this.
Also cannot find any instances where someone with triple negative cancer had surgery first then chemo - they all seem to be the other way around? Has anyone with triple negative gone back on HRT?
Hi,
I can’t answer on the HRT question as I was premenopausal when I was diagnosed. However, I was on the contraceptive pill for endometriosis, as I was triple negative my consultant hasn’t ruled out going back on it, but said I should see a gynaecologist to discuss options.
I did have surgery first as well, WLE followed by a reconstruction in a second op, then chemo and radiotherapy.
Jen
Hi there
Chemo tends to be offered first when the tumour is large, in an attempt to shrink the lump before surgery. Doing it this way means some ladies are able to have a wle as opposed to a mastectomy. As your lump is small and there is more than one area of concern, a mastectomy before surgery is the obvious option.
Cant help with the hrt question, Im afraid.
Best of luck with everything. Sounds like youve caught it nice and early. Fingers crossed 
Tina x
I’m TN and had my MX before chemo… sorry not able to say about HRT, but I was ahving the contraceptive injection before all this and onc said not to have it again just in case!!!
good luck
Hi
I had my WLE in May 2010 before chemo and my lump was 3.7 cm (my boobs aren’t massive either) I had good margins too. Don’t know anything about HRT though.
Take care Amanda xx
I should have said, I had chemo after surgery, despite my lump being pretty big (39mm). It was never discussed as an option to have chemo first. To be honest I dont think I would have considered having chemo 1st as I was desperate to have the op and have the cancer removed. Since my initial dx, it seems to be increasingly common to have chemo first but it definately varies from hospital to hospital. I think you have got to trust your team and if in doubt, get a second opinion.
Good luck x
I had wle before Chemo in 2009 and had made an appt to see my consultant about going on hrt this summer bu was diagnosed with a recurrence in chest wall before we got a chance to speak about it so never got the hrt… I had a hyst and bso last year as I’m a brca2 gene carrier but have previously had a hormone positive BC too but was willing to give th hrt a bash. Now on Chemo so no point discussing it just now as can’t have it anyway but will probably bring I up again at the end of treatment.
The meno symptoms are a bit crap but I just try n concentrate on the bigger picture… The symptoms are annoying but cancer is life threatening so happy to getvon with my treatment and will deal with the flushes etc later.
Take care
Lulu x