My cancer was 90% positive ER & PR. I am currently on Tamoxifen, have been since mid March 2013. Luckily, I am not having any real issues with the Tamoxifen. I have the occassional hot flash, but that is it. My surgeon and my gynecologist recommended that I have a hysterectomy because of the potential risks from Tamoxifen. My oncologist says she doesn't think that is necessary. I tested negative for the BRC1 gene and she said the risk of uterine cancer is low. Now that I am wrapping… read more
I was proactive in my care and because Tamoxifen's side effect of uterine cancer I elected to have prophylactic total hysterectomy and bilateral oopherectomy done. Since I was surgically put into menopause my anti-hormonal medication was changed to Femara. I don't want to hear the 'c' word again.
I didn't wear a wig, bought two but they looked so unnatural. I wore scarves that I wore right above my eyebrows and also over my ears. I got married between my third and fourth chemotherapy treatments and I wore a gold colored scarf that I made. I never felt so beautiful...
I saw a ob gyn oncologist because two years after treatment I began having two week long periods. He did ct scan and ultrasound. I had two endometrial biopsies and everything showed as being normal. I opted NOT to have the surgery. The risk was low to none, and hysterectomy poses problems of its own. If you are pre-menopause then lack of estrogen puts your heart and bone health at risk. (Tamoxifen does not block the production of estrogen, only the receptors to it. ) plus, vaginal atrophy, prolapsed vagina did not really excite me but is a common problem with hysterectomy. I was also 90% er+, brca negative.
@ msamy034, my providers didn't offer; I asked for the total hysterectomy. I also had history of uterine fibroids. My gynecologist understood why I asked. I don't regret this decision either.
I would talk with an oncologist gynelogist. Since you don't have a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation the risk of uterine cancer is low. However, I am truly a "Believe your gut" type of person, so if you feel that this is something you should do then get your doctors onboard with it.
***fyi** I have a BRCA2 mutation.. I will do the procedure to remove my ovaries and fallopian tubes. I do not feel it is necessary for me to have total hysterctomy.