I'm 5 years post lumpectomy for triple negative breast cancer at 46. Was tested and found to be BRCA2 carrier, though no history of cancer in my family.
Preventative ovary removal was suggested, but I wanted to avoid surgical menopause so opted to postpone that. Now i'm 'properly' peri-menopausal i'm considering my options. Particularly i'm interested to hear from anyone who had their ovaries removed after menopause and whether they had any problems. TIA
Hi HJK2,As I can probably vouch for most of my teal sisters on this site a lot of us are post-menopausal and have had debulking surgery (hysterectomy) all parts removed due to OC depending on each persons situation the ovary removal could be done robotically less invasive quicker recovery. Since you are a BC Survivor and carry the gene I would seek a consultation with a Gyno/Oncologist just my thoughts. Like many Gals on here who have been thru this journey I think having them removed earlier is better than later piece of mind Hugs from Chicago
I had BC at 46. Menopause after strong chemo. Twenty yrs later ovca. Wish I’d known then I was BRCA 2+ so I could have had them all removed and avoid deadly cancer. Two years later BC in other breast. I say heed BRCA diagnosis. Get rid of organs that can kill you!
Thank you for your reply
Hi, I had breast cancer at 41 (chemo put me into menopause) Then triple negative BC at 62, tested and found to have Brca 1 mutation. I pushed to have my ovaries removed they took 9 months (nhs) to book me in. Histology showed I had fallopian tube hgs cancer! Yes, get them out asap is my advice. If you can have laparoscopic surgery it really is not a big deal. Of course I then had to have more surgery and more chemo, which would have been avoided if I had it done earlier.Best wishes, Zsu
BRCA gene can be a spontaneous mutation I understand. My daughter has inherited this ‘gift’ from me . She is under the protection scheme from St George’s , this team will have all the information you are seeking . She’s had Fallopian tubes removed pre menopausal , as she was still quite young , to be followed by oophorectomy after menopause . I had breast cancer 10 years before Ovarian . How I wish I’d been tested then . Best wishes and hope you make good decision for you , but I’d have those ovaries out !!!
Jennifer
Thank you for your reply. I wasn't aware that it could be a spontaneous mutation. Both my parents are dead so I don't know if i've inherited. None of the family members who's been brca tested as a result of my dx have come back positive... I saw the genetics team at Southampton and was given the options, but told it's my choice...
Hi. I was in similar situation when after having gone through my natural menopause, 3 years later i had everything removed. First time round i did not go for HRT and it lasted for more or less a year. The ovaries still produce a variable amount of estrogen for up to 20 years, hence some women settle symptoms. 3 weeks after oophorectomy...... Bummmmmmm and I really need to be"normal"😁 before going back to work. I've been prescribed Lenzetto and the symptoms are reduced, still some, but I've used it only for 2 weeks... Speak with your Dr.
Best of luck
Kindly,
Thank you for your reply. That's the sort of info I was seeking. There seems to be the idea that post menopause the ovaries do nothing, but as your experience shows they clearly do! Hope things are settling for you, how are you getting on now?
Thank you!!!I'm doing really well, it also helps that I'm going back to exercise regularly but Lenzetto.....😊😊😊😊😊
I agree with my teal sisters on here, get your ovaries out. I had hysterectomy when l was39 but my ovaries weren't taken out because of my age. 27 years later l started with ovarian cancer which is advanced but being managed.
Just wish ld gone into it more with my first surgery but l didnt . Good luck with your decisions sending love SheilaFxxx
There was an opinion at that time that held that if you conserved ovaries , it was better for pre menopausal women , to avoid the symptoms in this discussion. They left one of mine and it came back to haunt me 30 years later 😱😡. But that was down to the gene as well Jennifer
Exactly the same as me l had only one left, knowledge is key but not by internet that frigthtens the pants off you. I never used to ask questions when l was young. Now l ask questions and query things l think its the only way to survive. Get the best advice possible and always get a second opinion if your not happy. Don't worry what they think of youNot all Doctors are the same we are all trying
To survive live longer and be happy at least its what lm trying to do. My next challenge is a rather large hernia repair.love & hugs SheilaFxxx
I too had breast cancer and 3 years later developed ovarian cancer and I’m BRCA negative. If I’d had the option I’d have had my ovaries removed. Prevention is better than having to have more extensive surgery later, in my opinion.
I had TNBC in my 30s, went into chemical menopause due to chemo. Some 15 years later my mother developed ovarian cancer. We were tested and didn’t have the BRCA gene but I was strongly advised to have my ovaries and Fallopian tubes removed as the feeling was there was likely to be a genetic link. I did so aged 51. I don’t regret it after seeing what my mother went through with ovarian cancer. As my breast tumour had no hormone receptors, I was allowed to go on HRT after five years and so the op didn’t really make that much difference though I think I’ve aged faster since for some reason! (Probably imagination). The op itself leaves only tiny scars and I recovered quickly apart from having to go home with a catheter for a week after my bladder refused to wake up! I’dsay go for it. All the best x
Strange things happened in Life. Am BRACA negative but we do have cancer in my family on both parents sides.....I wish i opted for ovary's removed right after my menopause started, but I was keep asking my GP if I can remove my breasts, on which they refused to refer me ......
New here and a less common type of OC
Sex-drive and oophorectomy
I'm new here... :-)
Has anyone had a prophylactic oophorectomy post-menopausally and experienced sexual problems afterwards?
