Ladies. Estrogen ?

Nana b
Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
edited March 2014 in Colorectal Cancer #1
I have been put on estrogen for hot flashes, even though I went through menopause in my early 40's and didn't have hot flashes until now I've read that estrogen can contributes towards breast cancer but i not sure about colon cancer. My ONC approved my estrogen but i am wondering if any of you ladies were taken off estrogen or told not to start taking it. Thanks for your feedback.

Comments

  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #2
    Estrogen
    I started menopause 5 years ago in my 40's, I never took the estrogen, my hot flashes had almost completely disappeared until I started with chemo, then they came back.
    I never used estrogen, just because of what I've heard about cancer etc., from it.
    I don't plan on using it. But it's just a personal choice. My doctors actually never even suggested it, they recommended herbs, which I didn't believe in either. I'm surprised your doctor didn't recommend herbs, I can't remember what type, but this was from my family and also my gyn/ob doctors.
    As for myself, I keep a 64 ounce jug from the gasoline store loaded with ice beside my bed to drink, and it's my hot flash relief.
    Winter Marie
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #3
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #4
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Well, come to think of it
    Also, throwing off the covers!!! Maybe at my age not such a pretty sight, but at 2:00 AM in the morning whose looking????
    Winter Marie
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #5
    HI
    Hi Nana,

    My mom was part of the Women's Health Initiative, when they did a comprehensive study of woman's health (you can google this). She was part of the group that began on estrogen. They pulled the study because of the incredibly high rate of breast cancer in this study group. My mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in September. (She stopped taking estrogen 5 years ago) There is no breast cancer in our family. She is done with treatment and all looks good. I will not be taking estrogen and I am staying away from soy as well. I am having my daughters do the same.
    Thought you'd want the info.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • abrub
    abrub Member Posts: 2,174 Member
    #6
    I've been on vaginal estrogen throughout
    I've been on vagifem, with the approval of my onc, throughout treatment. I never had menopausal hot flash issues, just vaginal dryness. I'm on twice the recommended dosage (4x/week) and there is a hx of breast ca in my family. My gyn thinks this route is okay.

    Surgical menopause when I was dx'd 3 1/2 years ago. Instant hot flashes 50- 60/day, but it turned out they were from the morphine.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #7
    abrub said:

    I've been on vaginal estrogen throughout
    I've been on vagifem, with the approval of my onc, throughout treatment. I never had menopausal hot flash issues, just vaginal dryness. I'm on twice the recommended dosage (4x/week) and there is a hx of breast ca in my family. My gyn thinks this route is okay.

    Surgical menopause when I was dx'd 3 1/2 years ago. Instant hot flashes 50- 60/day, but it turned out they were from the morphine.

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • dmdwins
    dmdwins Member Posts: 454 Member
    #8
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Risk vs Benefit
    I believe this is such an individual decision. Menopause effects us all so differently. I went throught surgical menopause at 43. My gyne wanted me to take estrogen for bone and heart protection. A cardiologist said not needed for heart protection...studies now show no benefit. My oncologist said was ok with colon ca if I wanted.

    My choice was not to. I was lucky that my hot flashes and night sweats are minimal. However, I know that some people suffer tremendously during menopause to the point that it interfers with daily life and hormone replacement makes life manageble. So I think you assess how hard it is to cope with the symptoms and make your decision from there.....whatever works for you :)

    Smiles,
    Dawn
  • Lifeisajourney
    Lifeisajourney Member Posts: 216
    #9
    Hot flashes
    My experience with hot flashes at age 67: Never had one, always coldest one in the office, when all the other when were turning the air on in winter for their hot flashes, I had my coat on. After chemo at age 66, I get hot flashes, not unbearable, but uncomfortable, I am sure it is chemo induced, can't imagine that estrogen would help, let us know..I did take estrogen birth control pills in my early twenties and depro provera, which is mostly progesterin for bleeding after the age of 50 for many years, but depending on your age I would be sure the hot flashes were not chemo result. I hate taking any meds so I am not the best advisor, but that is what I experienced. Since chemo, I can actually feel my blood boiling, along with other interesting feelings, but I am ned for now. Pat
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #10
    Lifeisajourney said:

    Hot flashes
    My experience with hot flashes at age 67: Never had one, always coldest one in the office, when all the other when were turning the air on in winter for their hot flashes, I had my coat on. After chemo at age 66, I get hot flashes, not unbearable, but uncomfortable, I am sure it is chemo induced, can't imagine that estrogen would help, let us know..I did take estrogen birth control pills in my early twenties and depro provera, which is mostly progesterin for bleeding after the age of 50 for many years, but depending on your age I would be sure the hot flashes were not chemo result. I hate taking any meds so I am not the best advisor, but that is what I experienced. Since chemo, I can actually feel my blood boiling, along with other interesting feelings, but I am ned for now. Pat

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • Lifeisajourney
    Lifeisajourney Member Posts: 216
    #11
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    boiling blood
    I guess that sounds extreme, but it is actually how it feels, not often, very warm. My feeling is that it has something to do with nerve issues. Or it is retribution for not feeling sorry for my suffering friends, when I was freezing...After the new year I am going to go a nerve specialists and go over some of these feelings....I sure hope he doesn't roll his eyes. I am pretty sure it is chemo related, not due to cancer. I will let everyone know what I find out about those issues. Pat
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #12
    dmdwins said:

    Risk vs Benefit
    I believe this is such an individual decision. Menopause effects us all so differently. I went throught surgical menopause at 43. My gyne wanted me to take estrogen for bone and heart protection. A cardiologist said not needed for heart protection...studies now show no benefit. My oncologist said was ok with colon ca if I wanted.

    My choice was not to. I was lucky that my hot flashes and night sweats are minimal. However, I know that some people suffer tremendously during menopause to the point that it interfers with daily life and hormone replacement makes life manageble. So I think you assess how hard it is to cope with the symptoms and make your decision from there.....whatever works for you :)

    Smiles,
    Dawn

    I agree with Dawn....
    It's individual choice....with your doctor's approval, of course....

    One I didn't have because at the point I started treatment for the rectal, a scan picked up breast cancer, too.....turned out to be Estrogen Receptor positive, no estrogen for me!

    I WILL say that at the beginning, after my surgical menopause, I was really struggling. After awhile, though, the hot flashes dwindled and I got on with life...

    BIG hugs, whatever your decision...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #13
    Kathleen808 said:

    HI
    Hi Nana,

    My mom was part of the Women's Health Initiative, when they did a comprehensive study of woman's health (you can google this). She was part of the group that began on estrogen. They pulled the study because of the incredibly high rate of breast cancer in this study group. My mom was diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer in September. (She stopped taking estrogen 5 years ago) There is no breast cancer in our family. She is done with treatment and all looks good. I will not be taking estrogen and I am staying away from soy as well. I am having my daughters do the same.
    Thought you'd want the info.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen

    Thank you Kathleen!! I'm no
    Thank you Kathleen!! I'm no longer on soy or estrogen, but yeah it does mess up my hair.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #14
    Lifeisajourney said:

    boiling blood
    I guess that sounds extreme, but it is actually how it feels, not often, very warm. My feeling is that it has something to do with nerve issues. Or it is retribution for not feeling sorry for my suffering friends, when I was freezing...After the new year I am going to go a nerve specialists and go over some of these feelings....I sure hope he doesn't roll his eyes. I am pretty sure it is chemo related, not due to cancer. I will let everyone know what I find out about those issues. Pat

    Thank you for your comments
    Thank you for your comments and advice.

    I'm no longer taking the estrogen. I'm no longer drinking soy milk, it would be interesting to see if my hot flashes go away not using soy. I believe they started when I went on soy and all the supplements that I am on.

Discussion Boards