That's a really great question. In terms of mininum amount of time on ET before a break, I think it really depends on how long someone has been on ET, what the symptoms are, severity, how they are being managed. It is not a one size fits all approach. It does take time for the body to get used to some symptoms as well so that's a consideration. We don't really know how many breaks are okay and this study doesn't actually give us that information (I wish it did! I would love to know how many breaks/gaps people had in endocrine therapy) so I think it is an individual discussion with your oncologist about side effects, symptom management and balancing with risk of cancer recurrence.
CHEK2 positive DCIS stage 3 DMX with DIEP Dlap reconstruction. Does the study show anything about this? Not currently taking any medications. Did have a hysterectomy but left my ovaries. Estrogen positive BC.
Are there guidelines/recommendations for women with ATM mutation in regard to menopausal hormone therapy, both estradiol only and estradiol with progesterone? I have no personal or family history of breast cancer, but I do wonder about this. Thanks for this great article!
There are no specific guidelines but in general, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in patients with genetic mutation is not an absolute contraindication. It really depends on breast cancer risk balanced with indications for MHT, symptoms etc and we consider these on an individual basis. We do know that estrogen alone MHT does not increase BC risk whereas there is a slight increased risk with estrogen and progesterone but the WHI study that showed this also didn't use the modern day formulations we use now so that's also something to keep in mind. I think these are individual discussions and warrant conversations with both a breast specialist and menopause specialist to really make the best decision for you.
Is there a minimum time of taking ET before allowing a break and can these be taken periodically.
Currently struggling with AIs but knowing if there was a break every so often would encourage me to carry on.
That's a really great question. In terms of mininum amount of time on ET before a break, I think it really depends on how long someone has been on ET, what the symptoms are, severity, how they are being managed. It is not a one size fits all approach. It does take time for the body to get used to some symptoms as well so that's a consideration. We don't really know how many breaks are okay and this study doesn't actually give us that information (I wish it did! I would love to know how many breaks/gaps people had in endocrine therapy) so I think it is an individual discussion with your oncologist about side effects, symptom management and balancing with risk of cancer recurrence.
I would love any recommendations in the Bay Area of California! In search of the Dr Teplinsky in my area!
CHEK2 positive DCIS stage 3 DMX with DIEP Dlap reconstruction. Does the study show anything about this? Not currently taking any medications. Did have a hysterectomy but left my ovaries. Estrogen positive BC.
Are there guidelines/recommendations for women with ATM mutation in regard to menopausal hormone therapy, both estradiol only and estradiol with progesterone? I have no personal or family history of breast cancer, but I do wonder about this. Thanks for this great article!
There are no specific guidelines but in general, menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in patients with genetic mutation is not an absolute contraindication. It really depends on breast cancer risk balanced with indications for MHT, symptoms etc and we consider these on an individual basis. We do know that estrogen alone MHT does not increase BC risk whereas there is a slight increased risk with estrogen and progesterone but the WHI study that showed this also didn't use the modern day formulations we use now so that's also something to keep in mind. I think these are individual discussions and warrant conversations with both a breast specialist and menopause specialist to really make the best decision for you.