His and Her Health

http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=63110

This is really distressing news. What help is there for women in menopause? Do we really just have to give up enjoying sex?

They overreacted to the last round of nay-saying about HRT. Thousands of women had their hormones taken away when they were not even in the at-risk group.

My gut reaction is that as a woman with no history of breast cancer in my family, I'd rather take the risk than give up my sex life. I know that may seem crazy, but the thought of losing the ability to enjoy sex depresses the hell out of me.

Welcome to my world! I think more research needs to be done, however I advise all my girlfriends to discontinue HRT if they possibly can. All the top breast cancer experts, like Dr. Susan Love, still feel it poses too high a risk.
But, like anything else, it's a personal decision. One each woman must make for herself.

Eva, having breast cancer in your family only increases your risk slightly. You have two very valid risk factors that are more worrisome. You live in a city with a high incidence (highest in the US, 3rd highest in the world) and you're aging.

Those are the only two risk factors I had, too.

Although I am neither a physician or a specialist in epidemiology, these reported increases in breast cancer are similar to those reported by the Women's Health Initiative. Therefore, I would suggest that you discuss your treatment options with your doctor.

On a personal note, I am not more alarmed after this recent study on estrogen-testosterone came out, than I am with the results of WHI. And, I definitely agree with you that sexual satisfaction is a very important factor which affects our quality of life. This should be taken into consideration in making a decision about your treatment.

I wish you much luck in your discussions with your doctor.

I agree with Shrilr when she says it is a personal decision. The decision to start or continue any form of HT should be based on the needs and desires of each woman. Doctors need to assess each woman on an individual basis for their risk of breast cancer. Doctors also need to communicate alternatives to HT to treat specific symptoms (especially sex-related ones).

For this particular study, we need to gain more information. Personally, I don't think rushing out to the doctor and discontinuing therapy is the proper way to react to this news. I think it should definitely be discussed with your healthcare provider- especially if you are assessing your risk of breast cancer. But, until we know more, it is ridiculous for the media and advocacy groups to "order women not to use this product".

Thanks.

I'm actually not taking estrotest (or any estrogen) myself, but my younger sister is after a complete hysterectomy and it's made such a difference for her. Plus, I hate to see more and more of the very few treatment options available getting shot down. It seems like we're going backwards instead of forwards!

I hate these articles that say inflammatory things like "doubles the risk of breast cancer." What does that mean? If it means it goes from one in ten to two in ten, that's really significant. If it means it goes from one in a thousand to two in a thousand, I'm less concerned.

And I'm curious to know if there are any theories why some communities have higher rates than others? Why would Seattle have such a high rate? And again, what do you mean by a high incidence? How many more cases per capita are we talking about?

Thanks!

The national average is 1 in 10 women will get breast cancer in their lifetime. In Seattle it's 1 in 8. One of my oncologists, a nationaly reconized expert, said that there are two theories. One, that women in Seattle delay childbearing until after 30 more often than the national average (they call it the "Microsoft Syndrome" - not applicable to you and me) which is a proven risk factor. And, the lack of natural sunlight reduces vitamin D production. Evidently many researchers think that has a link to breast cancer, however it has not been proven yet. I was the third person in my group of friends diagnoised within a year.

Get your mammogram every year!!!!

I hate it that there is still not a safe alternative to menopause problems. I'm really pretty sick of my personal struggle, even though I'm grateful to be cancer-free after three years.