prophylactic oophorectomy/breast cancer?

With a family history of ovarian cancer, I've always been nervous about that. My grandmother had it in her 40s and my mom had a hysterectomy at about the same age.

Recently I was told I have very dense breasts and that increases my risk for breast cancer too. I've been reading that having a hysterectomy and ovary removal lowers not just the chance of my getting ovca but of breast cancer too. But there are SO many conflicting articles out there.

What have you ladies learned about this through your experiences.

Thank you so much.

Hi there - I would be very interested to hear what the conflicting info is that you refer to below. I also have very dense breasts and history of (breast, not ovarian) cancer on both sides, plus am Ashkenazi Jewish, etc etc. I had a total hysterectomy to remove the uterus because of multiple fibroids that got very painful once I was put on Tamoxifen (to prevent BC recurrence) but opted to have the ovaries (and everything else) removed in hopes of helping prevent future ovarian as well as breast cancer. My gyn-onco surgeon strongly supported this, however my medical oncologist was less supportive initially, concerned about my being plunged into surgical menopause at 42. However I talked with her a bit more, and explained how I really wanted as little estrogen in my body as I could (due to estrogen positive tumor) and she nodded her head and said "Well if you do this, you will know you did everything you could." Well, I guess short of prophylactic mastectomy which I did not opt for, as I am BRCA-.

Have you considered being tested to find out your BRCA status? That might be helpful as it can provide you info on likelihood of getting ovarian and/or breast cancer (related gene).

I don't know how old you are, but that might play into your decision too. I have heard that having an oopherectomy after a hysterectomy can be difficult, so you might want to ask about that too.

Best of luck in making the right decision for you!!!

Thanks. The "conflicting" information i've hears is about how much the ovary removal/hysterectomy would reduce the chance of breast cancer if I don't have the BRCA gene. And if you do go that route does the estrogen you take afterward negate the positive effects. Do you know anything about this?

I do know that the density of your breasts decreases after the hysterectomy and that's got to be beneficial, right?

I'm 41. Thanks for your insights. It's all so scary...

Yes...but I'm reading so much about the hrt I would need after the removal I'm afraid that would negate the benefits of the prophylactic procedure. Are there any hrt that don't increase the risk of bc?

Hi - I am definitely not an expert on this stuff, but I know my oncologist did say that my breasts should improve (I think she meant in terms of being so fibrocystic, possibly also reference to the density) after having the ovaries out. If you have a breast cancer history or high risk, then your doctor would not likely put you on any HRT, other than localized estrogen such as Vagifem or Premarin. I'm not clear if you have been tested for BRCA or not, but if not, that might help you decide about the ovaries. For me, in addition to wanting estrogen out of my body thru removal of ovaries (still have estrogen, I know, but less), I'd also had ovarian cysts over the years which were painful and which made my decision to have the ovaries removed easier.

I think it's really good you are researching all this - Have you also met with a gyn or breast oncologist? That might also help you to get current, solid info. I never actually posed the question that you have, ie how much will removing the ovaries reduce my chances at getting breast cancer again. It's a good question. Since I'd already been diagnosed with early breast cancer, I really just wanted EVERYTHING down there out.

Just fyi, I am now 7 months out from surgery and while I have had some minor symptoms of surgical menopause, I am finding them very manageable without any HRT other than Vagifem. That might change (hope not) but doing well overall for the moment.

Good luck with your research!!

That's great to know that you are doing well without the HRT. Reading about it makes it seem like you'll NEED it for years and years....

May I ask how old you are? Thanks so much!