Anyone here with PCOS and need hormone therapy?

BioAdoptMom3

I am new here. My name is Nancy and I was diagnosed 2 months ago with IDC. I am glad to have found this board. Reading through some of the posts it is obvious that this is a very supportive group of BC survivors!

I will be seeing my medical oncologist in a week or two for the first time. With a ER/PR+ tumor and being pre-menopausal I am sure part of the suggested treatment plan will be Tamoxifen. Some of the risks of this drug are blood clots, stroke and uterine cancer. I also have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and that also puts me at high risk of the above. I think I could deal with the possibility of the uterine cancer because they could watch me with frequent ultrasounds and catch it very early. However the cardio risk factors scare me. Does anyone else here have PCOS and need hormone treatment? If so, were you prescribed the Tamoxifen? If not, how did they treat you? I am just wondering if there may be other options?

Thanks!

Nancy

4slurpee

PCOS here too
Nancy,

I asked similar questions on these boards a few months ago with few responses regarding PCOS - a search may turn up the question for I can't remember the wording. I don't think much is known yet about PCOS and cancer, my oncologist said I was his first patient in twenty years who had both cancer and PCOS. I am one year out from treatment for IDC. My recurrence rate came back medium so I did have chemo. and radiation. I was ER/PR+ and HER- and I am pre-menopausal. Sounds familiar. I, however, only have one ovary remaining due to torsion and emergency surgery about five years ago, however no effect on the PCOS.

I am on Tamoxifen, taking it a year so far with no side effects but some short term memory issues. I still see my gyn, surgeon, radiation dr. and regular oncologist. I figure between the four of them (at least for the five years I am on Tam.) I am being kept track off. My oncologist did send me to a well known gyn. oncologist in our area regarding the Tamoxifen and PCOS and she was not very concerned with the issue - I would have to look at my notes for specifics. He wants me to go back to the facility to see a 'group' of dr.'s who may be able to evaluate the situation better. Next month, I meet with my gyn. I am considering a hysterectomy with my remaining ovary removed depending on how invasive the surgery may be. The PCOS limited my ability to have children (miraculously I had a baby boy) and children are no longer in my future so that issue is not there. If I did this I would be on aramotose (sp?) inhibitors as opposed to Tamoxifen and this is my next point of research on the net and with my doctors. The specialist stated due to chemo. and Tamoxifen I am towards the end of menopause already.

I don't know if this has helped much, but I hope so. I am not worried about the Tamoxifen yet. My doctors are wonderful and I really trust their care in tracking my health. I am also trying to take charge myself. I have lost weight (but need to lose more and I am having difficulty), exercising, and just trying to keep busy.

Take care,

Catherine

BioAdoptMom3

4slurpee said:

PCOS here too
Nancy,

I asked similar questions on these boards a few months ago with few responses regarding PCOS - a search may turn up the question for I can't remember the wording. I don't think much is known yet about PCOS and cancer, my oncologist said I was his first patient in twenty years who had both cancer and PCOS. I am one year out from treatment for IDC. My recurrence rate came back medium so I did have chemo. and radiation. I was ER/PR+ and HER- and I am pre-menopausal. Sounds familiar. I, however, only have one ovary remaining due to torsion and emergency surgery about five years ago, however no effect on the PCOS.

I am on Tamoxifen, taking it a year so far with no side effects but some short term memory issues. I still see my gyn, surgeon, radiation dr. and regular oncologist. I figure between the four of them (at least for the five years I am on Tam.) I am being kept track off. My oncologist did send me to a well known gyn. oncologist in our area regarding the Tamoxifen and PCOS and she was not very concerned with the issue - I would have to look at my notes for specifics. He wants me to go back to the facility to see a 'group' of dr.'s who may be able to evaluate the situation better. Next month, I meet with my gyn. I am considering a hysterectomy with my remaining ovary removed depending on how invasive the surgery may be. The PCOS limited my ability to have children (miraculously I had a baby boy) and children are no longer in my future so that issue is not there. If I did this I would be on aramotose (sp?) inhibitors as opposed to Tamoxifen and this is my next point of research on the net and with my doctors. The specialist stated due to chemo. and Tamoxifen I am towards the end of menopause already.

I don't know if this has helped much, but I hope so. I am not worried about the Tamoxifen yet. My doctors are wonderful and I really trust their care in tracking my health. I am also trying to take charge myself. I have lost weight (but need to lose more and I am having difficulty), exercising, and just trying to keep busy.

Take care,

Catherine

Thank you so much Catherine
Thank you so much Catherine for your helpful response! I haven't been able to find any specific info while searching the net over the past several days and have Googled it using several different phrases. I guess there aren't very many of us out there. Actually it kind of surprises me that those of us with PCOS have ER+ BC because, well at least in my case, periods have been very few and far between. I am now very interested in seeing when we go to the oncologist if he has had anyone else with both conditions. I'll have to let you know.

Thanks again for taking the time to share and all the best to you with your continued treatment !

Nancy