Herbal Remedies For Menopause 2009

HRT with a history of uterine cancer?

In January of this year, 2009, I had a complete hysterectomy at the age of 32. I had this because I have had uterine cancer 3 times since age 21. My mother, aunt, grandmother, great aunts, and great grandmother all had this as well. I have had a grandmother have breast cancer and two great aunts on my mother's side died of breast cancer. I have been on the HRT patch since February. Every time I put this on, I know it will keep me from having Symptoms Of Menopause, but I am worried about it's connection to cancer, especially breast cancer. Is it ok to use herbal remedies for menopausal symptoms and also take calcium for bone loss? I spoke with my doctor before my surgery about my concerns with HRT and he said there was new research out that stated there is less of a connection between HRT that is only estrogen based and cancer. What should I do?

I am 46 and am in treatment for estrogen positive breast cancer. I also had a hysterectomy at the same time as my lumpectomy due to fibroids. HRT is out for me for obvious reasons, as are bioidenticals and other plant-based estrogens. Black cohosh is estrogenic also, so it's out too. So be careful of herbal remedies and clear them with your oncologist first.

I would talk to your oncologist about being tested for the BRCA1 and 2 breast cancer genes given your family history of reproductive cancers including breast cancer. I too would be concerned about staying on HRT given your family history. I would also seek a second opinion to put your mind at ease. Menopause Symptoms including Hot Flashes can be controlled with non-hormonal medications; for example, I am successfully taking neurontin for hot flashes (I only have a few a day now). There are also treatments for potential bone loss and heart disease that don't involve hormone therapies. And calcium supplements should be fine.

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