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Bioidentical hormones and breast cancer

Posted by naomid @naomid, May 20 3:08pm

Hi everyone, I had early stage one breast cancer 25 years ago and have been fine ever since. My tumor was fed by hormones. I am dealing with osteoporosis now and I've heard that bioidentical hormones can help bone density, but I know I have to be careful. Is there any data available on the risk of low dose bioidentical hormones in breast cancer survivors like myself? Any data that you can provide would be extremely helpful. Thank you so much!

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 20 4:21pm

I have had ER+ breast cancer and severe osteoporosis. I would not go near estrogen, bioidentical or not. My feeling is it could wake up or stimulate rogue cells, but ask your oncologist.

There are many other options for treatment of osteoporosis, as I am sure you know!

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callalloo | @callalloo | May 25 9:53pm

There are differing opinions about this question with the breast cancer oncologists' community. There are some oncologists who think that HRT is safe for breast cancer survivors many years after the cancer but that is very much a minority opinion. It's one of those areas where there's insufficient research data to suggest that there is no risk, comparable to conflicting studies as to whether soy is a safe food for breast cancer survivors. There are no drugs, yet, for osteoporosis are without very significant side effects so I understand wanting to avoid them if at all possible but I'd be very wary of estrogen or estrogen-mimicking drugs or supplements if I'd had an estrogen-fed cancer in the past.

Maybe you can find an endocrinologist with significant experience in this area to discuss it with. I'd want a top-notch endocrinologist who isn't selling anything as the HRT world has its share of charlatans as part of the "aging well" supplement market. I have a healthy respect for master hormones so would do a lot of research before tweaking the balance.

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1 reply
naomid | @naomid | May 25 10:16pm
In reply to @callalloo "There are differing opinions about this question with the breast cancer oncologists' community. There are some..." + (show)
@callalloo

There are differing opinions about this question with the breast cancer oncologists' community. There are some oncologists who think that HRT is safe for breast cancer survivors many years after the cancer but that is very much a minority opinion. It's one of those areas where there's insufficient research data to suggest that there is no risk, comparable to conflicting studies as to whether soy is a safe food for breast cancer survivors. There are no drugs, yet, for osteoporosis are without very significant side effects so I understand wanting to avoid them if at all possible but I'd be very wary of estrogen or estrogen-mimicking drugs or supplements if I'd had an estrogen-fed cancer in the past.

Maybe you can find an endocrinologist with significant experience in this area to discuss it with. I'd want a top-notch endocrinologist who isn't selling anything as the HRT world has its share of charlatans as part of the "aging well" supplement market. I have a healthy respect for master hormones so would do a lot of research before tweaking the balance.

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Thank you so much for your response!

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celica | @celica | May 26 8:17am

I was on the Bio Identical Hormone Therapy- Wiley Protocol for years; Estrogen, Progesterone & Testosterone . I always had tender breasts from as far back as I remember. And dense breasts except when breast feeding.
There is insufficient data but somehow I wish I never was on them b/c I think I fed these tumours. I wish I knew for sure. To replace the hormones my body was Lacking during menopause was remarkable – no hot flashes night sweats or insomnia. I mean we die because we don’t have any hormones that give way to illness.
I wish I could go back on them but wouldn’t in a million years . I’m ER +ve, bilateral lumpectomy (lost
Bld Supply ( breasts look disfigured (but hey who cares) the MRI picked up a tumour that the US & Mamm didn’t when I requested to take out a benign biopsied lump. And as well my ONCO scored was high so now I am getting Chemo then radiation then AI’s
Was it worth it ? Dunno Would give
My eye teeth to know if I “Fed” them. Plastic surgeon says uncoils have a fat transfer & areola tat in the future.
Feel so crappy on the 3 chemo drugs. Oh well
Ty for your attention

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