zoladex or ophorectomy / hysterectomy?

Going through breast cancer treatment Hormone therapy
1

Hi there! 

I was wondering if anyone else has had a similar dilemma…

I am 39, and was diagnosed with ER receptive HER2 positive primary breast cancer last year. Since then, I have been on Zoladex,  almost a year now - since April in combination with Anastrazole. 

As far as I understood my oncologist (I have such a hard time getting all the info out of her…) I would be on Zoladex for 10 years - something I can simply not imagine as I have a needle phobia (arg). As I am close to menopause by then, she suggested I have an ophorectomy. During the information call (corona virus distancing), they gynaecologist told me that they thought it useful to take my uterus out as well, due to the Anastrozole possibly affecting its lining. 

Now my head is just spinning with doubts. As far as I know it is far from standard procedure for any women put on anastrozole to have her uterus out?! I have scheduled another appointment with the gyna, hope they can clarify better what my options are. But maybe someone here has had a similar decision to take?

Also, do I even really want my ovaries removed? I read in a forum thread some are only on adjuvant ovarian suppression for five years? Is the efficiency of longer treatment proven? In that case, is it wise to go the road of no return? My bone density is not fab (first scan showed osteopenia) and at this point I’d love to feel like my old menstrual self again for a few years XD (no genetic predisposition in our family for ovarian cancer by the way)

I know nobody can tell me what to do. And I guess they really just don’t know what the best option long term is. I feel that an ophorectomy would allow me to enjoy life after treatment without the monthly injection looming over me. But I never really stopped to think about how important oestrogen is for our bodies as well. I think I am just having a bit of a hard time accepting the new normal. Would be grateful for any reactions of people having gone down that road before me. 

XXX

2

I had my ovaries removed in Oct 2017 after a diagnosis of ER+ Her2- breast cancer. I was still pre menopause and they obviously needed to get my oestrogen levels down - so the choice was monthly injections or oophorectomy. I was firmly in favour of the latter, but really had to push for it.

My experience of these things is to research it yourself, ask other ladies for their experience (as you already have done here!) and then make the decision that is right for you. There is no ‘one size fits all’ in this game. It has to be right for you.

Sending best wishes,

Rosie

4

Hi

I had a full hysterectomy and oophorectomy just over a year ago, 6 months before my cancer diagnosis. So whilst I can’t answer your question with regard to cancer, I can at least share my experience of the op.

I can honestly say it was very straightforward and there was very little pain afterwards. I was only in hospital for one night as I had keyhole surgery. 

Having the oopherectomy made me post menopausal literally overnight. Although I didn’t notice any symptoms of this for about 3 months. I started having hot flushes and some irritability so I went on HRT, which helped. However I wasn’t destined to be on it long as my breast cancer is oestrogen positive. I’ve had to stop the HRT and I’m now on Anastrazole. 

I miss the HRT! But I don’t miss the bits they took away during the op. However I should point out that I was 50 and definitely not planning any more children. 

Good luck with your decision. I hope whatever path you take helps in the long run