Oopherectomy vs hysterectomy

jfsnowflake
jfsnowflake Member Posts: 15
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
Just wondering if anyone ever convinced a doc to do the hysterectomy instead...and if so ..how did you do it?? : )

Comments

  • maryh
    maryh Member Posts: 33
    #2
    Jane: Just read both your posts! I am having a 2 yr anniversary in a few weeks...yeah! I had High Grade, Stage 0 DCIS in one breast. The Dr. was convinced I had done my research, but insisted I have a breast MRI on both sides and that I talk to an Oncologist about the options. Then he agreed to remove both. Surgery went well...no reconstruction. After healing, I began insisting on the removal of the ovaries. GYN agreed with me, but the insurance said no. 6 months later, the GYN advised that insurance companies were relaxing their rules about oopherectomies and hysterectomies after breast cancer! I had had a hysterectomy 20 years ago, but I am sure they would have agreed to pay for it, too. (I'm 56) It's the ovaries that are the main concern. And without them, there is no reason to have a uterus.

    By the way, latest research advises that patients have a post-mastectomy (side view)mammogram to see if any breast tissue was left behind. Easiest mammogram I ever had!

    Be pro-active. Do your research, attend BC lectures, READ. Do not give up on your doctor. Show him all the latest research and contact your insurance company. Keep after both.
    Good Luck!
    Mary
  • cathdavis
    cathdavis Member Posts: 42
    #3
    maryh said:

    Jane: Just read both your posts! I am having a 2 yr anniversary in a few weeks...yeah! I had High Grade, Stage 0 DCIS in one breast. The Dr. was convinced I had done my research, but insisted I have a breast MRI on both sides and that I talk to an Oncologist about the options. Then he agreed to remove both. Surgery went well...no reconstruction. After healing, I began insisting on the removal of the ovaries. GYN agreed with me, but the insurance said no. 6 months later, the GYN advised that insurance companies were relaxing their rules about oopherectomies and hysterectomies after breast cancer! I had had a hysterectomy 20 years ago, but I am sure they would have agreed to pay for it, too. (I'm 56) It's the ovaries that are the main concern. And without them, there is no reason to have a uterus.

    By the way, latest research advises that patients have a post-mastectomy (side view)mammogram to see if any breast tissue was left behind. Easiest mammogram I ever had!

    Be pro-active. Do your research, attend BC lectures, READ. Do not give up on your doctor. Show him all the latest research and contact your insurance company. Keep after both.
    Good Luck!
    Mary

    Mary, Congrats on your 2 yr ann! I had stage 2a BC, had a mastectomy of my rt breast and chose not to have chemo. I have just had my 1 yr ann cancer free. I am your age, 56. I am menopausal and the onc put me on arimidex. But then, lately I've been having some spotting and the ultrasound showed a fibroid I have had grown, not a good sign. I see my gyn in July for another ultrasound, but am thinking hysterectomy and I think I'd just like to have everything taken out and be done with it!! Have you heard/ read anything about fibroids after menopause? I can't find much info when I search online. Thanks, Cathy
  • hummingbyrd
    hummingbyrd Member Posts: 950 Member
    #4
    Realatively easy to get what you want.....just know why you want it. An informed patient is a dangerous thing, in a court room. LOL
    Just teasing!
    My doc recommended zolodex injections every month back in Oct 2001 because tamoxifen quit working (started having periods again). This stuff is injected under the skin of your abdomen. The needle is the size of an icepick! And 'the pellet' looks like a short fat toothpick. I said no way I want a hys, take it all out.
    Read the package insert, very interesting. Nearly 50% of the patients who get zoladex have 'tumor flare ups' while only 4% of the patients w/ oophorectomy have any tumor flare ups. Well, I had a metastasis to my low back near my spine and the thought of it 'flaring up' every month did not sound good to me....so I got a hysterectomy!
    My ? is why would your doc want to go in and take your ovaries and not your uterus? Let me know and I'll give you my response, or how I would present arguement for total hys, if you're interested. God bless and keep you protected. hummingbyrd
  • DLLPRL
    DLLPRL Member Posts: 2
    #5
    cathdavis said:

    Mary, Congrats on your 2 yr ann! I had stage 2a BC, had a mastectomy of my rt breast and chose not to have chemo. I have just had my 1 yr ann cancer free. I am your age, 56. I am menopausal and the onc put me on arimidex. But then, lately I've been having some spotting and the ultrasound showed a fibroid I have had grown, not a good sign. I see my gyn in July for another ultrasound, but am thinking hysterectomy and I think I'd just like to have everything taken out and be done with it!! Have you heard/ read anything about fibroids after menopause? I can't find much info when I search online. Thanks, Cathy

    I'm new at this so please be patient. I had Stage 2 BC and decided on a Bilateral matectomy because of family History of breast cancer(mother and older sister). I don't regret that decision. Now I'm thinking of having an Oopherectomy. My question is what is the advantage of having a Hysterectomy vs Oopherectomy. Isn't it more of a risk? I'm seeing a new doctor next week to talk about it. I've been through a couple different chemos and now am taking Herceptin intravenously and Arimidex by mouth. They both give me diarrhea problems so I have to take Imodium A D on a daily basis. Does anyone have this problem with these drugs? I'm also getting muscle and joint discomfort from these drugs and blurry vision.
    Thank you,
    Dllprl
  • jfsnowflake
    jfsnowflake Member Posts: 15
    #6
    hummingbyrd said:

    Realatively easy to get what you want.....just know why you want it. An informed patient is a dangerous thing, in a court room. LOL
    Just teasing!
    My doc recommended zolodex injections every month back in Oct 2001 because tamoxifen quit working (started having periods again). This stuff is injected under the skin of your abdomen. The needle is the size of an icepick! And 'the pellet' looks like a short fat toothpick. I said no way I want a hys, take it all out.
    Read the package insert, very interesting. Nearly 50% of the patients who get zoladex have 'tumor flare ups' while only 4% of the patients w/ oophorectomy have any tumor flare ups. Well, I had a metastasis to my low back near my spine and the thought of it 'flaring up' every month did not sound good to me....so I got a hysterectomy!
    My ? is why would your doc want to go in and take your ovaries and not your uterus? Let me know and I'll give you my response, or how I would present arguement for total hys, if you're interested. God bless and keep you protected. hummingbyrd

    Hey...if you thought the one month pellet was big, you should have seen the size of the 3 month pellet. I got to the point where I never had them numb the area first, that hurt more than the shot. I have never seen nurses in so much pain as when they had to give me a shot. Weird sense of humor I have, I found it funny that they appeared to have more pain then me by the grimace on their faces!

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