Option of having ovaries removed

[Debbie61]

Hi Missymoi. Active ovaries produce oestrogen which feeds the cancer and increases the chance of recurrence. So, particularly if you have a very oestrogen receptive cancer, you can have monthly injections of Zolodex to stop your ovaries working, or have them removed. Debbie x

[Missymoi]

You only had breast cancer? Why did you remove ovaries?

[monicanatura]

Hi
I’m 48, I am due my second zoladex, and will start letrazole next month.
I have decided to see how I go with the zoladex, Iv only had 1 injection, and may tolerate it better then I thought initially.
I am also having acupuncture and herbal remedies which are really helping.

[MysteryMouse]

Thanks Debbie61

Goodness me that is such different advice to what I was given.  It's so strange when you hear of different practice happening elsewhere.

I was only 49 when put on Zolodex (now 51) because it was  discovered after already switching from tamoxifen to anastraole that I was peri menopausual.  I am due to have the zolodex injections stopped later this summer as have been told that by then after being on them for over 2 years I would definately be post menopause.  However by then I will only be the ripe old age of 52! 

Not sure what to think now.

MM

[Debbie61]

Hi. I was 54 when diagnosed in 2016. Debbie

[Optimisticmz]

Hi

Just jumping in on this thread. I am on Tamoxifen and monthly Zoladex after being diagnosed at age 51 in Sept 2017 with BC and peri menopausal. My oncologist said if the side effects of Zoladex became unbearable she would be happy for me to have my ovaries removed. Strange how advice differs.

[MysteryMouse]

1Hi,

Just read this thread and am interested as have been having Zolodex injections for nearly 2 years now. 

When I originally enquired at the start of injections about having my ovaries out I was told no by oncologist as too invasive and would be unnecessary.  I'm 51 now and just wondering what ages you all are?

Thanks!

MM

[monicanatura]

Hi Debbie
Thank you for the reply, very helpful.
I have been thinking about it, and I have decided to speak to my GP to see if he can refer me.
Il talk to my oncologist as well, however I have a very positive feeling I’m doing the right thing.
Thanks and take care

[Debbie61]

Hi. Yes, I had mine removed. Was diagnosed in 2016 and had left mastectomy. Didn’t need chemo or radio (even though I had a positive lymph node) and am on anastrazole for 10 years. Initially I was also having monthly injections of zolodex to stop ovaries  as I wasn’t quite past menopause. Very tiresome having two whammies of hormone treatment so I suggested to my oncologist that I have my ovaries removed. He had been going to suggest it himself when things had settled down a bit for me. So, a year after mastectomy, I did. It was day surgery and recovery wasn’t too long or too bad. I have a small scar above my bikini line. When he discharged me the surgeon who did the op said “congratulations - you’ve done everything you can do “, and no more zolodex injections! It has,of course, pushed me into total menopause, but the zolodex did anyway. Hope this is helpful. Debbie x

[monicanatura]

Hi Ladies and gents.
I am thinking of having my ovaries removed. Iv just completed 16 cycles of Taxol, had a mastectomy and now will be on hormone treatments for the next 5 to 10 years.
I’m ER+ PR +,. I am not particularly excited about taking Zoladex.
Does anyone have experience of having their ovaries removed, due to breast cancer?
Thanks in advance