Let's Talk About Estrogen

Breast cancer comes in a few flavors - there’s the cell type it comes from (85% from the ducts or 15% from the lobules). It can have lots of receptors for hormones such as estrogen and Her2, or be receptor negative. The type of cells and their receptors are what guide treatment and whether or not hormonal therapy is warranted (this is different than chemo therapy).

My cancer cells were 100% estrogen and 99% progesterone positive - meaning they are highly sensitive to these hormones, like watering a plant. I’m Her2 receptor negative. 

So though the actual tumor was removed, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to prevent any rogue cancer cells that snuck away from lodging elsewhere in my body and coming back as stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. I can’t water the plants anymore, so any sources of estrogen and progesterone have to stop. 

If I was younger or wanted more kids, my choice would be to block estrogen receptors on my cells (tamoxifen) and to shut down production in my ovaries (lupron). Instead of taking 2 drugs to preserve ovaries I don’t need, I’ve opted to have them removed instead. 

April 9th the hormone factory ovaries will go, and I’ll be in instant menopause at age 45. No more estrogen means lots more hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, decreased libido, and vaginal dryness. Sounds fun. It also means increased risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease - and a much lower risk of breast cancer recurrence. 

Another surgery, another part of my womanhood gone, and another sacrifice in the name of disease free survival.