Taking HRT after breast cancer with Dr Tina Peers

Is it safe to take HRT after breast cancer? Have you been turned down by your doctor for HRT after breast cancer?
It can be a confusing decision about whether to take HRT if you have had breast cancer. There is contradictory information and media scaremongering about the links between HRT and breast cancer.
Watch our video with Dr Tina Peers and hear first hand from a doctor and a menopause specialist who has herself gone through breast cancer and is managing her own menopausal symptoms with HRT.
LINKS:
- Explore all of our Menopause support: www.lattelounge.co/menopause
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- Find out more about the risks and benefits of HRT: www.lattelounge.co/the-benefi...
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// KEYWORDS:
menopause, perimenopause, HRT after breast cancer, osteoporosis, dexa scan, midlife, nutrition, HRT menopause, menopause in women, menopause diet, menopause libido, menopause sex drive, perimenopause uk, perimenopause treatment, perimenopause stories, estrogen effects on women, menopause matters, menopause doctor, menopause remedies natural, menopause help, perimenopause hell

[@beatscatmommy1735]

More people and doctors need to come out and talk about this. I'm same situation, breast cancer stage 1, post lumpectomy and no one wants me to give me HRT. I am saying NO to Timoxifen!

[@KarenHinkle-lm6pt]

I took tamoxifen for three years after my chemo and found out it can give you uterine cancer…so good for you especially if you still have one and overies. I quit taking it and had a hysterectomy. I’m 81 now and going to go on an estrodial patches. Hope it helps with my sleep.🤞🤞

[@KarenHinkle-lm6pt]

Tell them to give you the estrodial patches…look on KZbin about it. They have found out recently that you can have estrogen! Good luck!

[@KarenHinkle-lm6pt]

Good for you…listen to FEMALE doctors on you tube. Over the past week I have and I really think you are a candidate for something. I’m 81 and after being off with horrid hot flashes for years I’m going to try the estrodial patches…I had a total hysterectomy when 65…cancer 62 because I was put on tamoxifen. Good luck and hugs

[@charleedell92]

This lady is brilliant, I bet her waiting list extends three times around the world!

[@laurenceapitz1678]

this is absolutely amazing. I just had a cancer scare, I had to get a biopsy, and I am so incredibly lucky for it to be benign, but what was scaring me even more than having cancer was the idea of no longer having access to HRT and having to take tamoxifen. it actually does boil down to quality of life. denying us HRT in these circumstances is just an other way of infantilizing us.

[@jillkemp5521]

My aunt had taken hrt for years and had to have a breast removed due to cancer, at her five year post surgery consultation, after examination she was informed that she had cancer in her remaining breast. She had numerous lymph nodes and wall tissue removed along with her breast. She was reminded that she had been warned that if she continued taking hrt, she was likely to get cancer again but she chose to ignore the warning.

[@laurenceapitz1678]

@@jillkemp5521 is she ok today ? I wonder how she found a physician to prescribe it.

[@ummtaimann6819]

@@jillkemp5521i don’t understand did she take hrt in the five years after surgery ?

[@elainestewart8090]

So much valuable information thank you.

[@Freedom2Roam.]

Wow.. what a bright woman this is, full of knowledge. Thank you 🙏

[@marinasolt6232]

Thank you! I had breast cancer in 2015, when I was 50. I don’t have the info handy but I remember it was stage 1, ER+, and not in my lymph nodes. I had a lumpectomy and intraoperative radiation. No signs of cancer since then and I do all my follow ups. I had a hysterectomy in 2019 (due to large fibroids causing issues), but I insisted on keeping my ovaries, precisely because I did not want sudden menopause. The doctors tried to dissuade me, but I insisted. I was 100% fine for about 1-2 years that my ovaries were functioning. But, for about the last year I’ve been suffering with myriad menopause symptoms. The worst are brain fog, muscle wasting, serious aches and pains in my legs and hips, depression (I was given Wellbutrin for that), loss of excitement about things, fatigue and ongoing hair loss. I read Dr New sim’s book and I am determined to get ERT. If my GP, gyn, oncologist and breast surgeon all deny me, I WILL go to Mexico and buy it over the counter! I have always asked for the absolute risk numbers and sometimes can’t get them. If I have an 8% chance of it recurring now and ERT would doubled it (which I don’t believe), I would do it in a heartbeat. This is my life and should be my choice. Thanks again for the supporting info. In fact, I would rather have a mastectomy with reconstruction than live like this for 25-30 years.

[@savatryramsaran1877]

@marineasolt6232 After breast cancer did you take any Homone Suppression Drugs?

[@bcourtney4024]

Luv this discussion. So difficult to give up my combipatch while waiting for surgery. #HRTRules"❤

[@larajohnson8174]

Incredibly valuable information and quite shocking that Tamoxifen has such a low efficacy. Admire Dr Peers for taking her quality of life into her own hands, and doing what is right for her. She's incredible!!

[@Lisa-xd3fv]

Hi Dr peers .what an incredible story I wish you health and strenght women go through so much .many happy years to you and your family. Tina. and many thanks I'm so happy for your recovery your such a lovely lady 🦋🌞🌻🙏💞💞💞

[@Optimization_Coach]

To get the right answer, one needs to ask the RIGHT QUESTION!

[@alysonthomas1474]

I am54 had stage 1 breast cancer lumpectomy and no spread, awaiting radiotherapy. Offered letrozole but refused as the side effects sounded awful. I asked the oncologists what benefits lettozole would make only 2% extra survival after 15 years. Only given this fact because I asked... how much information is available for the long term effects of letrizole? How much money do these drug companies pay the NHS? I think,qualityof life is far more important than a life of pain on these drugs?

[@Salamander-us3ys]

Same here.

[@mermaidmaca]

Thank you so much. I'm going to my GP to ask for HRT to be prescribed again. 😊

[@nancybass1962]

Thank you so much for this. I had stage one insitu cancer that was determined to be estrogen receptor positive- of course now research shows that estrogen does not cause breast cancer. I took a hormone blocker for a year and recently quit . I want any estrogen left to be circulating in my body. Prior to the cancer I had been on HRT for twelve years. Toward the end of perimenopause I went through a very serious episode of depression. My medicine just stopped working. I now know that it is common for that to happen in women who deal depression. My obgyn put me on hormone replacement and my medication was adjusted. I want my HRT back! I think I will have a very hard time getting them to give it to me. Your story is so inspiring. Thanks so much for sharing it!

[@truman3004]

I have to pay privately for it too as my doctors would not give it to me. I now feel Sooo much better!

[@hollybrabeau]

Are your positive for the MTHFR patient? I take l-glutathione because I have two copies of the 1667-c, I think.

[@Dandelion_flight]

Oh gosh what Dr described the symptoms are exactly what I had. I thought I was going crazy and I felt like ending my life. It’s so unlike me!!! I also had BC. I am now finally on HRT and I really hope the quality of my health and life get better soon.

[@TrudyContos-gq1bw]

I'm going to see someone to about gene and hormones testing . Keep us updated on your progress. Good luck

[@stephaniesteed7653]

How did you find a doctor that would prescribe to you hrt after having breast cancer?

[@Dandelion_flight]

@@stephaniesteed7653 Hi there. There are different types of BC so the one I had was hormone negative which makes doctors more comfortable with allowing HRT. I also went to my oncologist to get a letter done so I do not encounter any problems. That said, after two years of trying HRT on and off (because it gave me horrible side effects - dizzyness and shaky body, hand tremors especially the Prometrium), adjusting the estradiol doses and switching to a Mirena instead of Prometrium... I have recently completely stopped HRT. It is doing more bad than good. I feel worse overall. I just had my Mirena removed. I have tried whatever I could to do HRT but i guess it is not good for everyone. It is just not for me.

[@crepesuzette5540]

Excellent podcast! Dr. Peers: I'm just like you except I had lumpetomy after LCIS then 5 years later lumpectomy stage 1b IDC and still I insist Dont Take My HRT!!! I'm suicidal without it! And, I don't have BRCA gene but I do have tge MTHFR gene and I have poor methylation.

[@truman3004]

This Was me. No tamoxifen for me!

[@amya9597]

Thank you for sharing your story! ❤️ I was diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Carcinoma, stage 2 B, grade 3, ER, PR positive, my tumor was 2.5cm. I had 2 positive nodes out of 8 removed. Thankfully, my right breast was clear but I chose to do a double mastectomy. Unfortunately, I have dense breasts and was told that most likely my tumor was missed on my mammogram. I am currently going through chemo and I will follow up with radiation to be proactive. I have to say that the hormone therapy is what scares me the most. My oncologist has suggested Lupron and Arimadex vs Tamoxifen but each drug carries their own side effects and risks. I have also been told that if you stay on hormone therapy for over 5 years it can also increase your risk of other cancers. Is it worth getting second or third opinions on hormone treatments?

[@beatscatmommy1735]

I'm in same boat. Similar cancer. I'm not taking Timoxifen!

[@amya9597]

@@beatscatmommy1735 I’m sorry for your diagnosis. I wanted to let you know that I have been taking Femara, an Aromatase Inhibitor since July and so far no side effects other than hot flashes. It’s not been as bad as I anticipated. Are you taking something other than Tamoxifen to lower your estrogen?

[@mthoodstyle]

Going on system wide HRT is probably only relevant if your cancer was caught early and did NOT spread to the lymph nodes. Once in the nodes the odds of reoccurrence to other areas of the body is much higher so giving your body estrogen is probably not a good idea for those with ER+ cancer. Every woman needs to figure out her own way through. I was stage 3 and use estrogen cream vaginally but do not use it system wide. I take an estrogen blocker (1 mg anastrozole) daily but it doesn't give me the nasty side effects except my libido is very low. I tried taking testosterone daily via a troche but I didn't notice much. I quit eating sugar and moved to a very low carb diet as cancer likes sugar. But I eat dairy and red meat with a passion. This lead to me losing 35 lbs in about 18 months. Anecdotally, my aunt who had the same cancer as me but stage 4 went full vegan many years ago but has had to keep using trial cancer interventions as her markers are not under control. The diet has not stopped her cancer. As for me, I am in a vague place where I won't know if I am in the clear. I just get to live my life as best I can and cross my fingers that it doesn't decide to come back.

[@user-rh8lw7yp9z]

I had breast cancer 2 years ago, I said no to tamoxifen I heard that it can cause severe depression and I have a history of that. Fast forward 2 years and I am in a terrible depressive state, thoughts of suicide everyday, my doctor thinks I'm in perimenopause and refuses to check my hormones because he said even if it is my hormones there is absolutely nothing they can give me. I feel so defeated. Antidepressants are not working at all 😢

[@KarenHinkle-lm6pt]

Get another doctor. There is no reason you shouldn’t get help and have your hormones checked. What he thinks is not a reason to not check. I would get another opinion and tell this guy…bye bye! Good luck and try to think positive thoughts that you will find a solution. Hugs

[@FISH4FOREVER]

May i ask please how sensitive were her receptors please? for Er & Pr ? Mine was level 8 (from 1-8) highest ....

[@mirandawrites9311]

I was just diagnosed, what is the importance of the level?

[@FISH4FOREVER]

@@mirandawrites9311 I think lower receptive means tamox won't work as strongly..

[@edwinahughes7386]

This was me, I did the research as i was a nurse practitioner, I said no to tamoxifen as well, 4 yrs clear hoping I'll be clear for life never stop advocating for women .I stayed on HRT I had to see a specialist to be prescribed it ,my GP only gives me a month at a time ridiculous.

[@beatscatmommy1735]

Does your OBGYN Rx you HRt even though your post Breast Cancer? I can't get anyone to go me HRT:(

[@edwinahughes7386]

@@beatscatmommy1735 ,I am in the UK and my menopause specialist wrote to my general practitioner to recommend I stay on HRT.

[@brendaaucoin67]

What juice do you recommend was it beet juice?

[@vc7770]

Beet and pomegranate

[@conniemcmurray5146]

This is weird. I was told that tamoxifen blocks estrogen in breast tissue but mimics estrogen in other tissue. Maybe it varies based on menopause status.

[@conniemcmurray5146]

Also, I thought HRT was no longer believed to prevent heart disease. Interesting.

[@KarenHinkle-lm6pt]

I was told tamoxifen would prevent you from getting cancer BUT it could give you uterine cancer!🙀🙀 what the hell, that makes no sense at all. I got off of it and had a hysterectomy, total! Couldn’t take HRT so hot flashes here we come…horrific for years…I’m 81 now and am going to start estrodial patches. Hope they help with my sleep and energy, cause I’m age 81 but do not feel or look it! Good luck to you. Hugs

[@joycebacchus1182]

Please explain what is H r t for the lay person .

[@melissabilletter4603]

Hormone Replacement Therapy

[@brendaaucoin67]

What were your numbers

[@joannamaz8246]

This video stops playing at 10:19 min into it!!!!

[@the-latte-lounge]

Thanks for letting us know, we will get this sorted.

[@user-bp6pd2is7i]

I don’t know why modern doctors are so ignorant in regards to this issue. Just ignorant.

[@panes840]

Very interesting and so inspirational BUT, I'm astonished that when people say they have nothing to change about their diet. Alcohol is not the only contributor. Perhaps digging out the unbiased scientific evidence is needed with diet interventions. For a start I wouldn't consume dairy or meat, fish or eggs ever. It may not be the panacea but there's a lot evidence pointing towards contribution. So there you go. How much does that help with the body dealing with chemical pathways for some women? L glutathione isue is correct and with pomegranates too. So there you go again, diet is amazing

[@user-bp6pd2is7i]

What about pomegranates?

[@TrudyContos-gq1bw]

Not the 2 oncologists that I went to, and I couldn't even ask any questions. They were men, and so now I'll try a woman.

[@user-bp6pd2is7i]

Only women who’ve been thru this will know how we feel. Even female nurses are quit cold and stern about their vast knowledge of endocrine blockers.