Ovaries removal

Cynth6

Hi ladies,

As I get back to “normal” life after BC last year, I realise just like other ladies on here, I want to do everything possible to stay alive as long as I can. Sure I am still at risk of having my cancer return even though I had a bi mastectomy and sure becsuse I have that damn brca1 gene and considering my mum passed away with BC a few years back, it can come back anytime. But I thought what else can I do to help reduce reoccurrence or help reduce the possibility of a new cancer coming. So I’ve decided to have my ovaries removed. 
I had my first 3 month check up two weeks ago and I was asked for the first time if I had thought what I should do about my ovaries. What ?! Remove my ovaries at 31?! Was my reaction. I’m single, 31 and I’m being introduced to the idea of having my ovaries removed. I’ve watched half of my friends get married and have children and get pregnant again...while I’ve been in and out of relationships then I get diagnosed within BC. I don’t know if I particularly “want” children but I guess the idea of having a mini me is nice and I guess I’d “fit” in more with my friends who do have kids.
But what’s more important right now I’ve realised is that I don’t want to keep my ovaries that’s just another spot where I could get cancer. Plus why would I want to have a child who I’m going to pass on the nasty gene to ? I’m honestly happy to just be a dog mum. I have two beautiful doggies and I’d love to have more. They give unconditional love and don’t carry on like kids do haha. 

Has anyone made this Choice too being single and around my age ?

P.S I just watched this movie on Netflix called “Miss you already”. It is about a woman going through breast cancer so it will make you cry but it’s a beautiful movie. It also made me think a lot and hence coming to the decision about my ovaries. I highly recommend this movie but do be warned that it is based on cancer and definitely will make you cry!

SoldierCrab

Hi    @Cynth6 thats a big decision to make. 
Have you had a genetist meeting? 
Who asked you about ovary removal?
Your onco or surgeon?
Did they give you information to bring home to read?

There are IVF options available also... 
Do you have  a breast care nurse?
It might be worth chatting with her or counsellor about your choices available..

I bawled my eyes out watching miss you already....

Are you a member of the young womens group?
Http://onlinenetwork.bcna.org.au/group/10-young-women 

Sister

I don't have any experience of this aspect of breast cancer but will echo what @SoldierCrab has said, please make sure you explore options thoroughly before making such a major decision.  Speak to the professionals and talk to a counsellor who is experienced with cancer issues.  It may very well be the best decision for you but it is a major, no-going-back one.  I, for one, would have found it very hard to have not been able to have children - I didn't have mine until my late 30s and early 40s.  However, amongst my childless friends, I have one who made the decision in her early 30s (not cancer-related) to have a tubes tied because she got tired of boyfriends who thought she wasn't serious about not having children.  She is turning 60 this year and has never regretted that decision as she knew she didn't want them.  In fact, as I've gone through the child-bearing years I have discovered that as many of my friends have remained childless as have had kids.  Just not something that I would have wanted if I could have avoided it. 
Please also remember that we pass on many different genes to our children, some good and some bad.  I don't know whether I have the BRCA gene and unless the test is free for me, I probably won't know.  I do know that treatments and screening are improving all the time and gene or not, my daughters and my son, will have a higher awareness of the possibility of breast cancer from my experience and their knowledge of my sister having had it.  I'm as aware of having passed on the propensity to mental health conditions that abound in my extended family and I knew about those before I considered having children - I just try to monitor my kids and make sure they are aware of things.
I guess all that I'm saying, @Cynth6 is, talk to the professionals, read the literature, seek others experiences as you are doing, then look into your heart and weigh up the pros and cons.  Whatever decision you make has to be one you own and be carefully thought out.  I'm not a virtual huggy type person but I'm sending one out to you.

Afraser

Lots of people make a decision about not having children without cancer to prompt a response. I wasn't having any! I did change my mind, not because my later partner wanted children but because two of us bringing up a child became a very real want for me too. You may have to make this decision solo, so talk to your medical team so you are sure of the pros and cons. Whatever you decide, if you choose wisely for whatever matters to you, you'll have no regrets. I am confident that if I had chosen not to have children, I would be happy with that. That other path would not have been chosen, would have remained unknown so not a part of me. It's been a wonderful path, but then the other may have been too. Even if we live to 95, life's too short for deep regrets! Best wishes.

Rosie_BCNA

Hi @Cynth6 I will send you a pm Rosie

primek

It was certainly something I was going to do if my gene result was positive. But I have had my children. Egg storage is something you can look at so you do have choices if you wish later.

It's important to be referred to an onco gynacologist. They specialise in treatment of ovarian cancer and have expertise in what needs to be done to reduce ovarian cancer risk...which is a bit more than removing ovaries.

I guess the thing to remember with passing on genes is that just because you have the gene does not mean you will get cancer. 

iserbrown

@Cynth6
Good advice is being given. 
I'm a different age to you but I am also under a Gynecology Oncologist as well as a Medical Oncologist. 
Please heed advice before making a decision. 
Also remember not all of us have children; some through choice, some never settled before body clock decided that's it and then some where nature decided for them. 
Wishing you wellness
Take care 

Cynth6

Thank you ladies for the good advice. I’ll look into talking to a new gyno as the one I had before cancer wasn’t that good. 

I did see the genetic doctors before I began treatment early last year. I was lucky that the gene test didn’t cost me anything and I got my results back within two weeks. But I haven’t been back to see them as it’s just another appointment and I’m over so many appointments. But I have the news that I dreaded that I tested positive.  So I know that I’m at risk to ovarian cancer but I don’t think what percentage I am at risk would really help me change my mind. 

I’ve never really liked children to be honest. I only like my friends kids but in small doses haha. 

I could also freeze some eggs but I haven’t got my periods yet since chemo and I’ve been told they can or won’t come back for up to a year post chemo. I finished chemo in September last year. 

Anyways I’ve got my next 3 Month check up with my oncologist in April so I’ll definitely be asking her more in depth questions and get a referral to a gyno. 

Oh and yes I do have a breast care nurse so I’ll ask her before my appointment. 

Thanks again ladies for your support and advice : )

Anne65

@Cynth6 I've just read your post & although I've come in a bit late, i thought I'd share my story. I had surgery Dec. for DCIS & am about to start my radiation treatment next Wed. This has been put on hold as the rad onc was waiting for my gene test results to come back as radiation effects reconstructive surgery if i choose to have it in the future (if my gene test was positive & I decide to have a mastectomy followed by reconstruction). I got my results a few days ago & it came back negative BUT as my mum died of ovarian cancer when she was 46 y.o. after battling it for 6 1/2 yrs, it was suggested to me by my genetic counselor to have my ovaries out whether my test came back positive or negative. Ovarian cancer is something i have always been scared of as it is the silent killer & with mum having it at such an early age, it made me paranoid I was going to get it. Now I have had cancer, i am worried it may return as a secondary cancer in my ovaries so I am seeing my surgeon after I finish my radio, to discuss having them removed. My sister also wants to have hers out. We are both mid 50's & I haven't any kids (my choice) but my sister has 4 so i am happy being an Auntie! You have more decisions to make as you are quite young & I hope you are guided by the professionals you are seeing & also your own support network. I hate making decisions & if my test came back positive, I was dealing with the choice of having a mastectomy to lessen the risk of cancer returning & I didn't know what I was going to do. You already have the gene so it does increase your risk. i wish you well with your decision & let us know what you decide so we can all support you either way. Hugs xx