Arimidex and Pap Smears

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CindySch
CindySch Member Posts: 8
in Breast Cancer #1

I am a breast cancer survivor and will be a 5 year one in November of this year.  I have been taking Arimidex since my last Mammosite treatment almost 5 years ago.  A couple days ago I went for my annual Pap Smear.  The medical assistant rushed me while I was trying to do the paperwork  I knew it wasn't going to be the best experience.  It never is!  I didn't like to have them before I had cancer!  Anyway, I use Replens every few days to help with the vaginal dryness caused by the Arimidex.  This time when the doctor did the Pap Smear she told me many things that I already knew including how sex would be uncomfortable for me and how I couldn't use any products with estrogen due to my type of breast cancer (painful reminders).  She asked me when I had my last mammogram because she hadn't gotten a copy of it.  Cancer patients are pretty good about getting mammograms--at least I am.  I felt like she thought I was lying to her.  By the time she went to do the procedure my legs were shaking, and I tensed up.  I was dry in the vagina, so I just wanted her to be quick and get it over with.  She was able to do the test.  She said, "You might have some light spotting"!  I went home and felt moisture in my crotch.  I had flooded my pants just like when I used to have periods!  I bled for over 24 hours.  I am just lightly spotting now.  Test done Wednesday.  Today is Friday.  I am doing much better today.  I am 60 years old.  After the exam I stood in the exam room alone and cried not to mention when I got home and saw my pants.  I can only speak as a female cancer survivor, but I wonder if doctors understand how much we feel we have lost when they talk to us.  I sweat profusely at times when I am working.  Sex would be very uncomfortable for me.  My joints ache (legs).  As I mentioned earlier I am 60--the years have flown by.  I am also a survivor!  I have fears now about the cancer returning just like everybody else deep down inside.  I never wanted to go see this doctor again!  I wish I could find a geriatric gynecologist who understands cancer survivors but don't know of any in my area.  I wish my oncologist could be my only doctor now!  I haven't seen my family doctor in years.  Never had the need to.  I enjoyed pretty good health before I had breast cancer that showed up on a yearly mammogram.  Just reaching out today as I never want to see the gynecologist again at this point!  I can handle the side effects of Arimidex and am afraid to stop taking it!       

Comments

  • joannstar
    joannstar Member Posts: 403 Member
    #2
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    I totally get where you are coming from...

    I am approaching my 5 year cancerversary (8/19/15), but since I am TNBC survivor I do not take any meds like Arimidex. I am almost 63. At my last pap (I go to my PCP), he found a growth and sent me to a gyno. Before the exam, the new doctor asked me if I had an "advanced directive" which I have to say, totally freaked me out. I just looked at her and said something like "are you telling me that the cysts could be fatal?" She laughed and said, oh no, just asking if you have all your paperwork for end of life done. What??? I mean I know that this is something I have to do, however, I have just gotten to the point that I am not terrified of dying from BC on a daily basis. She went ahead and removed the vaginal cyst and warned me about spotting. It was not cancer, so all was good, but I have to say that I walked out really shaken.

    I think that doctors need to have some training in how to talk to cancer survivors and the aging population.

    Hugs,

    JoAnn

     

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #3
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    joannstar said:

    I totally get where you are coming from...

    I am approaching my 5 year cancerversary (8/19/15), but since I am TNBC survivor I do not take any meds like Arimidex. I am almost 63. At my last pap (I go to my PCP), he found a growth and sent me to a gyno. Before the exam, the new doctor asked me if I had an "advanced directive" which I have to say, totally freaked me out. I just looked at her and said something like "are you telling me that the cysts could be fatal?" She laughed and said, oh no, just asking if you have all your paperwork for end of life done. What??? I mean I know that this is something I have to do, however, I have just gotten to the point that I am not terrified of dying from BC on a daily basis. She went ahead and removed the vaginal cyst and warned me about spotting. It was not cancer, so all was good, but I have to say that I walked out really shaken.

    I think that doctors need to have some training in how to talk to cancer survivors and the aging population.

    Hugs,

    JoAnn

     

    That would freak me out, too!

    I agree with you.  We need more gynecologists who understand the changes women go through who have had cancer.

     

  • lintx
    lintx Member Posts: 697
    #4
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    CindySch said:

    That would freak me out, too!

    I agree with you.  We need more gynecologists who understand the changes women go through who have had cancer.

     

    Cindy

    OMG, I can identify, too!  I'm 66 and get a lecture each year about vaginal dryness at my GYN appt.  I take Tamoxifen, so how could I not have dryness?  Not only that issue, but I'm continually questioned about a sex life, etc.  Very embarrassing to say the least.  No matter how honestly I answer the questions, she throws more at me.  Also, when I see my primary every six months, he asks when my next mammogram is due.  He seems clueless, too.  I have to explain over and over and over that I had diep flap reconstruction, so my new breasts are my old stomach tissue with no ducts!!  Therefore, no mammograms.  He just looks puzzled and says, "Oh."  Frustrating in every sense.  Linda 

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #5
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    CindySch said:

    That would freak me out, too!

    I agree with you.  We need more gynecologists who understand the changes women go through who have had cancer.

     

    Appreciation!

    I really appreciate everyone responding.  I came home from the doctor's office a bloody mess.  My husband was at work.  I had no one to talk to.  Hearing from others and knowing that I am not alone really helps!  These docs have got to be re-trained when it comes to how to deal with cancer survivors.

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #6
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    lintx said:

    Cindy

    OMG, I can identify, too!  I'm 66 and get a lecture each year about vaginal dryness at my GYN appt.  I take Tamoxifen, so how could I not have dryness?  Not only that issue, but I'm continually questioned about a sex life, etc.  Very embarrassing to say the least.  No matter how honestly I answer the questions, she throws more at me.  Also, when I see my primary every six months, he asks when my next mammogram is due.  He seems clueless, too.  I have to explain over and over and over that I had diep flap reconstruction, so my new breasts are my old stomach tissue with no ducts!!  Therefore, no mammograms.  He just looks puzzled and says, "Oh."  Frustrating in every sense.  Linda 

    We become the teacher!

    Now we as cancer survivors have to educate the doctors!  Thank you for responding!  It sure makes me feel better to know I am not alone. 

  • tufi000
    tufi000 Member Posts: 745 Member
    #7
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    its about the money

    I love all my docs but I think they have to ask certain questions in order to get paid by the insurance.  If you are okay and just having routine check i don't think that qualifies for payment.

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #8
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    tufi000 said:

    its about the money

    I love all my docs but I think they have to ask certain questions in order to get paid by the insurance.  If you are okay and just having routine check i don't think that qualifies for payment.

    My experiences

    have all been good with what I consider professional, compassionate physicians and staff.  That being said, I HATE pelvic exams for all of the reasons mentioned above.  However, we all realize how important it is to have them if we still have our reproductive organs, because, breast cancer or not, they like to grow cancer and other noncancer diseases and, if you lump all below the belt cancers together, it's pretty common as we age.  So, I had regular (sort of) exams and lo and behold, at age 62, with absolutely NO symptoms of either, I was diagnosed with both breast and endometrial cancers.  I am a huge advocate for preventive medicine as here I am, 5 years later, healthy.  BOTH cancers were found as part of routine screenings (mammogram for the bc and endometrial cells on my Pap smear - which is rare). 

    I've had more pelvic exams in the past 5 years than you can imagine, but never ever any pain or bleeding.  I'm now 68 and all the effects of normal ageing, hysterectomy, and Tamoxfen have taken their toll on my tissues.  In April, I was dismissed from my gynecologic oncologist who did his job in telling me that standard of care is now for yearly gyn exams and I told him that I would have one if I ever noticed any symptoms, but otherwise I was done!  His advice for yearly exams was based on my history of endometrial cancer.  Since I have no cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and am minus a number of lymph nodes, and was early stage, low grade, I feel confident that I have passed the point of worrying about a recurrence and I have decided to not have any more pelvic exams (unless I have a symptom of something).  HOWEVER, for those of you who still have your reproductive organs and whether or not you're on  Tamoxifen or Arimidex, it is not unusual for a woman to have both breast and endometrial or ovarian cancers over the course of your lifetime - and both Tamoxifen and Arimidex can cause endomtrial cancers. 

    I feel it's important to have routine pelvic exams, even though they are uncomfortable.  I don't think they have to be uncomfortable (mine weren't), but the embarassing, humiliating parts are unavoidable. I have had exams frequently over the past 5 years, at first every 3 months, and then every 6 months.  Hated every minute of them, but they were short lived and over.  Recenty, I've been to the urogynecologist.  That is the most invasive exam I think I've ever had, but I did not have bleeding and I have been estrogen deprived for ten years now.  Hope you can find someone who you can be comfortable with because the exams are important. 

    Suzanne

     

     

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #9
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    We need to speak up more

    I always try to speak up when I don't like something. I will tell a doctor "How is this information necessary?" if asked about something private. I also have asked to be alone with a doctor or to have a door closed etc. I am SO polite and friendly (I always take homemade cookies to the front desk) that I seem to get away with my complaints. I give positive reinforcement a lot too, like saying "I'm glad you checked that. It sounded silly to be worried about such a tiny bump, but you gave me peace of mind" for instance.

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #10
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    Double Whammy said:

    My experiences

    have all been good with what I consider professional, compassionate physicians and staff.  That being said, I HATE pelvic exams for all of the reasons mentioned above.  However, we all realize how important it is to have them if we still have our reproductive organs, because, breast cancer or not, they like to grow cancer and other noncancer diseases and, if you lump all below the belt cancers together, it's pretty common as we age.  So, I had regular (sort of) exams and lo and behold, at age 62, with absolutely NO symptoms of either, I was diagnosed with both breast and endometrial cancers.  I am a huge advocate for preventive medicine as here I am, 5 years later, healthy.  BOTH cancers were found as part of routine screenings (mammogram for the bc and endometrial cells on my Pap smear - which is rare). 

    I've had more pelvic exams in the past 5 years than you can imagine, but never ever any pain or bleeding.  I'm now 68 and all the effects of normal ageing, hysterectomy, and Tamoxfen have taken their toll on my tissues.  In April, I was dismissed from my gynecologic oncologist who did his job in telling me that standard of care is now for yearly gyn exams and I told him that I would have one if I ever noticed any symptoms, but otherwise I was done!  His advice for yearly exams was based on my history of endometrial cancer.  Since I have no cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and am minus a number of lymph nodes, and was early stage, low grade, I feel confident that I have passed the point of worrying about a recurrence and I have decided to not have any more pelvic exams (unless I have a symptom of something).  HOWEVER, for those of you who still have your reproductive organs and whether or not you're on  Tamoxifen or Arimidex, it is not unusual for a woman to have both breast and endometrial or ovarian cancers over the course of your lifetime - and both Tamoxifen and Arimidex can cause endomtrial cancers. 

    I feel it's important to have routine pelvic exams, even though they are uncomfortable.  I don't think they have to be uncomfortable (mine weren't), but the embarassing, humiliating parts are unavoidable. I have had exams frequently over the past 5 years, at first every 3 months, and then every 6 months.  Hated every minute of them, but they were short lived and over.  Recenty, I've been to the urogynecologist.  That is the most invasive exam I think I've ever had, but I did not have bleeding and I have been estrogen deprived for ten years now.  Hope you can find someone who you can be comfortable with because the exams are important. 

    Suzanne

     

     

    Pap smears

    Hi Double Whammy!  Thank you for writing!  I have had a hysterectomy, so everything is gone!  I may not go back to have another Pap Smear if everything is okay on the one I had done recently.

  • Double Whammy
    Double Whammy Member Posts: 2,832 Member
    #11
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    CindySch said:

    Pap smears

    Hi Double Whammy!  Thank you for writing!  I have had a hysterectomy, so everything is gone!  I may not go back to have another Pap Smear if everything is okay on the one I had done recently.

    Are you sure everything is gone?

    You didn't say your age when you had a hysterectomy.  Sometimes they leave ovaries.  Sometimes they leave a cervical stump.  Depends on a lot of things I guess. Hysteretomy means only removal of the uterus, but we often lump it all together.   Before you make a decision to forego pelvic exams, check with your oncologist.  Just a good idea to get some professional feedback because there may be a reason to continue them.  I don't understand why a Pap smear would be performed unless you still have your cerivix or have had cancer.  That being said, I have many friends who had hysterectomies as younger women who stopped having pelvic exams years ago with the blessing of their docs.   I don't want to encourage you to stop if it's something that's medically necessary. 

    I wouldn't change anything, but sometimes I think being a woman definitely has issues!

    Suzanne

  • angelheart1
    angelheart1 Member Posts: 1
    #12
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    Arimedex, and paps and doctors

    Hi CindySch  

    I am a cancer survivor, DCIS stage 1A with no lymphs affected.  I have been on Letrozole (Femura) aromatase inhibitors for 2 years now.  I know how you feel about the side affects.  My suggestion to you would be to contact your oncologist and ask if he/she knows a gyn to refer you too that has patients who have had breast cancer and are on hormone treatment.  Also, my joints ache too, my hair has got so thin.  I'm like you, the benefits outweigh the side effects and I intend to stay the course (another 3 years.)  I hope this helps and know that you are not alone in your feelings.  God Bless!

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #13
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    Arimidex and Pap Smears

    Hello everyone!  I'm back!  Got the call today that my Pap Smear was abnormal due to blood which messed up the results.  Seems the good doctor poked me good!  I got on the telephone and contacted my oncologist today.  I told the nurse what a horrible experience I had had and how I dreaded going back to my gyncologist.  The oncologist put me on Estrace cream just for a month to get me through the Pap Smear re-take.  He said this cream has less absorption.  After that and if everything is better the second time around I am going to go shopping for a new gynecologist--one who knows how to work with cancer patients.  Wish me luck!  Pray for me! 

  • button2
    button2 Member Posts: 421
    #14
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    CindySch said:

    Arimidex and Pap Smears

    Hello everyone!  I'm back!  Got the call today that my Pap Smear was abnormal due to blood which messed up the results.  Seems the good doctor poked me good!  I got on the telephone and contacted my oncologist today.  I told the nurse what a horrible experience I had had and how I dreaded going back to my gyncologist.  The oncologist put me on Estrace cream just for a month to get me through the Pap Smear re-take.  He said this cream has less absorption.  After that and if everything is better the second time around I am going to go shopping for a new gynecologist--one who knows how to work with cancer patients.  Wish me luck!  Pray for me! 

    Good for you Cindy

    You did the right thing to tell them about your experience and find a new doctor. Good luck with your testing!! Anna

  • CindySch
    CindySch Member Posts: 8
    #15
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    button2 said:

    Good for you Cindy

    You did the right thing to tell them about your experience and find a new doctor. Good luck with your testing!! Anna

    Thank you, Anna, for your

    Thank you, Anna, for your support and prayers! 

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