removing ovaries to prevent reoccurence

I was stage 2 at age 38.-ER+,PR-,HER2- Did double mastectomy, chemo and radiation. Should I remove the ovaries to prevent it from coming back. What are the downsides to this ? Also should I take natural progesterone ? How do I clean up  my liver ? Is the home method safe ?. how do I know if I have the stress hormone cortisol ?

[bluebutterfly2222]

We provide support and general information about breast cancer issues, but it would not be appropriate to make specific treatment recommendations over the Internet, especially when you already have (or have had) a surgeon, oncologist, and radiologist.

These are all questions that would best be addressed by your treatment team, who have all of the information about your breast cancer and your general health hx.

Best wishes...

[SueYoung55]

Are you BRCA +? Have you been tested? I suggest that you get that test done before you make any long term decisions. ER positive breast cancers can be helped with an oopherectomy (removing the ovaries) but unless you have a BRCA mutation I would suggest you speak with your oncologist and/or gynecologist. If you are positive for a mutation I would absolutely do it. If you haven't tested I would not have this surgery until you know your BRCA status. Ovarian cancer is a high risk for one of the BRCA mutations which is also a large concern. The younger you are when you have your ovaries removed the more issues you can have with heart related health. Please seek advice from your physician.

Best wishes.

[moureen]

I have done the genetic testing and I dont' have the BRCA gene. My own oncologist said it may not be a bad idea but after menopause. Something always told me it might cause more health issue.The one doctor whom recommended it said I will be put off tamoxofin and be put on Arimitex which is a better drug. Is it ?
Is the hot flash going to be permanent or would it stop after 5 years of tamoxofin ?
Thanks for your reply.

[SueYoung55]

They are different drugs. If you are not BRCA + I would not have an oopherectomy at your early age. The difference in the drugs is not worth any potential heart problems. I wish I could tell you that the hot flashes would go away soon but there is no crystal ball for that. I am taking a prescription called neurontin for my hot flashes with success. Instead of an all day "hair on fire" series of hot flashes I may get one or two small ones throughout the day.

Best wishes :)

[bluebutterfly2222]

Here is an article that discusses the topic of oopherectomy:

• REMOVAL OF NORMAL OVARIES DURING DOES NOT LOWER MORTALITY
It has been common practice for decades to remove normal ovaries when a woman undergoes a
hysterectomy for whatever reason. For women between 40 and 44 years old, 50% have their ovaries
removed with hysterectomy. Of those between 45 and 64 years old, 78% have their ovaries removed. It is
estimated that approximately 300,000 women a year in the United States have what is called a
"prophylactic oopherectomy," which means ovary removal with the intent to prevent later illness. The
primary reason is to prevent ovarian cancer. When the ovaries are removed, a woman goes through an
abrupt "surgical menopause." During natural menopause, hormone production stops more gradually. In
addition, the ovaries continue to make significant amounts of testosterone and androstenedione, which are
converted in the body to estrogen. Later menopause is associated with a lower risk of death from
coronary heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that preserving the ovaries is associated with a
lower risk of heart disease. To keep it in perspective, ovarian cancer kills 14,700 women in the United States
a year. Coronary heart disease causes the death of 326,900 women a year.
Researchers used data from the Nurses' Health Study group, which included 122,700 women ages 30- 55
in 1976. They have been followed from that time, and entered into this study at the time of hysterectomy.
Data was used if the hysterectomy was not for cancer and the participants reported removal of normal
ovaries. 29,380 women had hysterectomies, and of those, 16,345 had ovaries removed. Researchers looked at
the following events: coronary heart disease, stroke, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, lung cancer, colorectal
cancer, hip fracture, pulmonary embolus, and death due to all causes. A lot of additional data was collected
in order to compare similar groups of women in terms of other factors.
The women were similar in terms of baseline risk factors for cardiovascular disease and cancer, although
the women who had their ovaries removed were slightly older and slightly more likely to be using or have
used hormone therapy. Statistical analysis showed that during the 25 years of follow-up, women who
had removal of normal ovaries had a higher all-cause mortality rate, mainly from coronary heart
disease and lung cancer. Although there was a lower incidence of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and in
fact all cancers in the women who had their ovaries removed, the risk of death from cancer was
higher. At no stage of the study was survival higher for the women whose ovaries were removed.
The increased in cardiovascular risk and mortality has been found in other studies, although none this
large. For women who are not at increased risk of ovarian cancer, prophylactic ovary removal may not
be beneficial, and needs to be reconsidered. Source: OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY (113: 1027, '09).

Best wishes...