7/31 E – Estrogen: Does Estrogen cause cancer?

I never paid much attention to the specific names of the body hormones until I was told I had to have ovaries removed also as part of procedure for prevention of breast cancer along with removing the breast (mastectomy).

Removal of ovaries – Oophorectomy

Those two -ectomy words never was part of my vocabulary but these are terms you learn and come to know AFTER you have them done to you!

So does estrogen cause cancer?

Google tells me:

Estrogen doesn’t directly cause all cancers, but it can promote the growth of estrogen-dependent cancers once they have started, particularly hormone receptor-positive (HR+) cancers.

Estrogen can act as a catalyst, making existing cancerous cells divide and grow, and prolonged exposure can increase the risk of certain cancers, like breast and endometrial cancers.

– from Cleveland Clinic

What did the local doctor tell me?

Bai you rausim ovary too because em ol hormones inside sa contribute lo cancer.

(You will also have to remove ovaries because of the hormones that contribute to cancer)

By the way I was told that a day before being admitted for surgery. Of course there are consent forms that you sign etc and you have to discuss with your spouse mainly – for me I discussed with myself.

And here is where we lack the service of counselling and preparing someone for surgery and I would think any surgery for that matter

It is a whole mental dramatic journey, this cancer thing.

Especially having to be told, you will be getting rid of all of what contributes to as a female.

And if not given the right prep and counselling to ease and give you inner peace, you go into the surgery in fear and with lots of questions and anxiety and possible high blood pressure and other side effects even before you go in.

(I’m just saying this because it can happen).

And that’s where Sista Luv comes in.

With that peer support system ..I was blessed to have two “peer support” who had gone through similar and for one who had her surgery done couple of years back, she had mastectomy done first and then later the Oophorectomy.

For the other, both were done at the same time.

I was never aware at the beginning of diagnosis that surgery would also include Oophorectomy and mastectomy- but having that pep prep talk with the susa was comforting to prepare my mind and body for surgery.

At the time, options and knowledge of the whole everything was limited – today with what I know, I would have opted differently.

But that’s another story.

Estrogen is part if the reproductive system and menstruation system, obviously removing ovaries no more eggs means no more babies and no more perioding. (Doesn’t mean no more action of it though :-_)

And this is where case by case is also different, depending on your age, whether you have kids or not and the number of kids will also determine and add to the decision of Oophorectomy and mastectomy.

Unless if cancer stage and situation is at a stage where it all really has to go, then not much choice – otherwise you are given other options to pursue like surgery overseas or at private where those options are available.

But at our dearest POM Gen, breast cancer patients – you have basically the two options.

Chemotherapy and Surgery. Surgery includes mastectomy and Oophorectomy.

“because of our limited options, these are the two preventive measures for further growth or spread of cancer – better to get rid of the source or main, so easier to manage”

So how is it like without the estrogen hormones ?

Menopause kicks in!! And all its effects.

One I read was you have memory loss. And that was the one I feared the most over others like hot flashes, insomnia (already suffer from that anyway) , anxiety…and others you can google or find out yourself later..

I found myself installing all those memory app games like studying the countries, flags, periodic table just to test this memory loss thing.

Ohnestly things may seem normal at times but it can quickly take a shift. One day or one hour you are hyped to do things and next it’s like no thanks – and I don’t know if it’s the lack of estrogen or just the coming to accept your body and life after surgery.

But one year on – thankful for my children, mama and those close to me during the time of it all, that went through those emotions with me, highs and lows and in-betweens.

Such a trying time and really it never ends ey. The side effects and after effects of it all still lingers and stuck with you even if it seems everything is normal.

So for any sisters going through and any family friend supporting or caring for one going through – you are one tough cookie…or PNG yumi tok hardman biscuit.

It’s always good to talk about these and if you find people, your people who can, it helps the mind over matter.

Reach out if there is a need.

Disclaimer. All of these shared is from personal experience and journey – every case is different, every doctor encounter is different , every experience differs.

Main thing is being in the know before so you are better informed and can make the best decision for you and know there are sisters who have been on the journey and willing to help you prepare for yours.

They say seek consent from your spouse and family, but really it comes back to the individual to make. After all, it’s her body and she will have to live with it and face alone all the many thoughts that fight for her attention within- and if anyone knows their body better – it is you, yourself.

So be informed, read, watch, share, speak – take time to be in the know before you lose the body parts and if you far from that, start making those adjustments to lifestyle, diet and health now.

#pinktober#breastcancer#estrogen#bodyhormones#moreinformedgreaterawareness