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I was 33 yrs old and had a complete hysterectomy, the Dr. suggested that I begin HRT for the hot flashes and such. I started with Prempro for about 6 months, then was swithched to Premorin, which I took  until I was 35-36yrs old. I have no information on my history b//c I was adopted. But at the age of 36, I devloped a high grade invasive ductal carcinomia which was ER/PR negitive. My first question is could the Premorin be responsible for the breast cancer? And what is the difference between ER/PR positve/negitive in relationship to getting breast cancer? I know I could not take Tamoxifin (tamoxifen), but if you cancer is negitive does that mean that it could not of been caused by HRTs

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

Hormone replacement therapy has been associated with a very small but albeit significant risk of developing breast cancer especially if taken for prolonged periods (say more than 5 years).  However, I agree that most cancers associated with HRT should be hormone responsive or ER/PR+.  The fact that you have ER/PR negative, means that this may really be a sporadic, spontaneous cancer and the HRT may have played a very little role in its development.  ER/PR+ cancers are the more favorable types, in the sense that this can have additional treatments with anti-estrogens such as tamoxifen.  ER/PR negative cancers are more apt to respond to other treatments such as chemotherapy.

Take care and God bless.