Monday, May 30, 2011
Estradiol is a paradoxical drug. Women who use it to reduce menopausal symptoms run an increased risk of cancer, but women who have recurrent breast cancer may be surprised when their doctors prescribe it to control their cancer.
Let’s start with the basics. Estradiol is a ...
Thanks so much for posting this, Phyllis - I never knew all the details about the various estrogens. Since I'm still having hot flashes 10 years post-treatment, I've been tempted at times to go the estrogen route - glad to know the difference between estrogen + progestin, and estrogen alone. Also, the info. about treating a recurrence with estrogen to encourage better results from an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen is fascinating... PJH
Thanks, PJ. Breast cancer survivors are often thrown into premature menopause, so it seems like it might be OK for them to have some estrogen replacement since it's not like they are extending forty plus years of menstruation and its potential cancer-causing problems. On the other hand, they have a breast cancer history, and everyone is afraid that they are especially sensitive to the effects of estrogen. My oncologist felt this way even though my tumor was ER neg. I didn't look specifically for studies about estrogen and breast cancer survivors, but I doubt that anyone doing research is going to go in such a potentially dangerous direction. Therefore, people like you balancing very real side effects damaging to your quality of life with the potential of a cancer recurrence don't have any large scale research information to help you make a decision.