Breast cancer, HRT, and Family History

I am not on HRT yet, I am 32, 6 weeks post-op for bilateral oopherectomy due to massive abcess and endo. I am trying not to do HRT, but I know it's a long shot. Two days ago, my sister had a lumpectomy and they have found a "non-invasive carcinoma" in the preliminary pathology. What does this mean to me? Her Doc says it increases her risk of breast cancer 40% (which I can't even begin to think about now, she is my favorite sister) over her lifetime but it shouldn't impact my risk. However, he didn't know about the possibility of HRT for me. Any ideas or info gals?

Thank you - (and yes my mom is freaking out, it is the 3rd surgery for her kids so far THIS YEAR and my younger sister has two more scheduled and my Dad had a shoulder replaced in May due to a bad fall.)

hi there!

Sorry to hear about your sis! Have you had your post-op check-up yet? My mom has breast cancer. AT my check-up, my DR helped calculate my risk, based on a number of factors. Having a first-degree relative with breast cancer (mom or sister) does increase your risk. But my DR wasn't unduly alarmed at the results of the WHI study, for many reasons, and I'm comfortable right now with being on estrogen. I'm 48 and dont' wish to have the menopause symptoms now and do want the bone benefits that estrogen provides. I plan to try to lower my dose next year, and reevaluate things with my DR at my yearly check-ups.

You are quite young to be going without any HRT, but I understand your concerns. If you do want to stay off it, you should make sure you are doing all you can to protect your bones, because otherwise, you will definitely experience some losses in bone density.

I'm sorry for all you and your family are going through! best wishes!