Estrogen/Endo, related to breast cancer?

[miamigirl000]

Hello Ladies, i recently had two large endo cysts removed off my left ovary along w/ 1/3 of that ovary. The doc. also removed some extra endo around the area. I was told that excess estrogen was a factor in the endo. My worry is that my mother survived breast cancer in both breasts due to estrogen fed cancer(both breasts were from a different estrogen). So, does this up my risk for estrogen related cancer? I already have yearly mammograms, but didn't know if maybe i should consider the DNA testing for the genes. The doc. mentioned treatment for my endo, but we want a second child as soon as i recover from surgery, and then we will consider treatment. Any thoughts on this??? TIA!

[miamigirl000]

Thank you for your response. I actually have decided that if i tested, i would do it out of pocket the way i have always done for HIV testing. I do not want my insurance to even know i have been a responsible adult and tested because they would think i was a person of risk who "needed" testing.
My mother never used birth control pills and never had any hormone therapy. Her sister passed away from breast cancer, tho she did use the pill and both my grandmothers have survived breast cancer. While i know w/ the family history im at risk, i was just alarmed when my doctor mentioned that it was over production of estrogen that caused the endo...Thanks again!

[MickeyVicki]

Yes, the extra estrogen does increase the risk for estrogen-related cancers.   But before you become too concerned - did you mother ever take BCPs or other hormonal therapies?  Unfortuantely, some early medications had higher level of hormones, and  other medications were prescribed that had no hormones to counter excesses.  It appears that the newer formulations of "hormonally prescribed" drugs such as birth control pills and hormone  replacement therapies might be addressing these issues.   Thus, women the ages of 'our mothers' (50 plus years) might have experienced a greater risk than the daughters will face.  It goes back to that "medicine is a practice" issue, with knowledge often coming at a very high price to some people.

Recently a similar question about genetic testing arose, and someone kindly posted a link to a website discussing genetic issues.  (It might even have been me! I've had a busy week!)  Anyway, there is some concern that the results of genetic testing might be used against a woman with regards to insurance.  My suggestion is to talk with a specialist, and give the issue some thought before making any decisions.  Best Wishes.