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.
Thanks @@Afraser for your input. When you said a woman's risk of breast cancer is related to the estrogen and progesterone made by her ovaries, what sort of relation are you talking about? Making more of such hormones mean increased risk? or decreased risk? Or? What studies were those? I hope you are not referring to the WMI study because it was very warped. I just learnt about it recently. I have not looked at all studies for sure but there is one out of Japan that concludes that frequent miso soup and isoflavone consumption was associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer. I know soy contains phytoestrogen which mimic endogenous estrogen though it is not exactly the same. Here's the study :
https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/95/12/906/2520284The estrogen hormone is so important in the normal functioning of our body. It is mostly produced by ovaries but at menopause we lose most of it, hence the increased risks of menopausal women getting heart attacks, Alzhemier's and osteoporosis. Risk is heart attack is higher than getting breast cancer apparently. It is also important in mood regulation. The adrenal glands and fat cells can produce a bit of estrogen. I have some joint pain ever since chemo in 2017, that's a side effect, but it is worse now that i have reached menopause. Good to hear that you did not have much menopause symptoms. I have most of the symptoms, the brain fog is the most frustrating! What hormonal therapy are you on? The one to reduce/remove estrogen? Do you get DEXA scan to check bone density?
