Studies have shown that a woman's risk of breast cancer is related to the estrogen and progesterone made by her ovaries (known as endogenous estrogen and progesterone). As I understand it, estrogen can be produced elsewhere in the body. Post menopause, production of estrogen gradually diminishes. I feel a bit lucky that, if you have to get breast cancer, I got it way past an almost symptom-less menopause, with limited side effects from hormonal therapy (and none of the joint pain/menopausal type). I have no hopes that finally finishing 10 years of hormonal therapy next month will result in some magical improvement in my somewhat battered bone density, but I’ll still be happy.
