Most breast cancer appears to be hormone driven. Also, most cancer appear in women after menopause or during menopause, at a time when hormones are diminishing. My question. If cancer is driven by hormones, who isn't it rife in younger women? Why does it occur at a time when our hormones reduces? It just doesn't make sense to me. Does any one have an explanation?

Perhaps it seems that more BC is occurring in older women but perhaps it is because older women fall into the category of those invited to attend Breast screen, hence more being discovered ?

Hmmm I actually don't know that I agree with that, I was pre menopause my first diagnosis, and everyone I've ever known which is alot unfortunately were also all pre menopause at diagnosis. I think that maybe it used to be that way. I think it's definitely younger than that overall.

My breast surgeon simply says it's still a mystery as to what causes bc, but we are getting a lot better at treating it! One thing that may be relevant is that breasts lose density as you age. Dense breasts may make it harder to detect anything (self examination or mammograms), particularly if it's minute, pre-cancerous or minute and slow growing. Whereas older women may pick it up more quickly. Current BCNA (2015) stats still state that the mean age for diagnosis is 60 years, that is half the number who get bc are under 60 and half are over.

While the majority of breast cancer is hormone positive as you rightly say, @AT404, that does not necessarily mean that hormones are the cause, or should I say the only cause of this type of breast cancer. Cancer is a complicated disease that they have not been able to really find the exact cause of. I suspect that it is not just one cause but in fact many and possibly a little bit different for each of us. Maybe it it is just more likely that older women will have whatever starts this terrible process occur and then any hormones (and as we know estrogen is still produced by women, even after menopause) are used by the cancer to grow.As @melclarity says, hormone positive breast cancer is certainly occurring in women before menopause in growing numbers too. I was only 47 at diagnosis for example. I hope one day soon that they can give us more answers. Maybe your doctors can answer this with more clarity.

It is odd isn't it, the data says majority are over the age of 50, but I think thats off in this day and age...I've had 2 diagnosis one at 43 and one at 47. My Mum was 40, I have about 5 friends who were all in their early 40's. Majority of ladies that were doing treatment at the time I went were actually younger than me, was frightening!! so many women in their 30's. I also agree too, it is complicated as @Deanne says, and hormones is only part of some of the diagnosis.

Hormones and breast cancer | BCNA Online Network

25 Replies

iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
Wow hot flushes - I have been fortunate enough not to have those at all! Wishing you well with radiation and all other treatment. Best wishes for a smooth run! Take care x
AT404
Member
9 years ago
Hi Folks, me again!!
I have been prescribed Letrazone. Won't start it until after radiation treatment that will start sometime in October. Going tomorrow for the "tatoos" I am 68, and were on HRT troches for 10 years which I have now stopped. So going through the flushes etc etc. I also have bad arthritis in all joints including lower lumber and neck which is very painful. I am scheduled for annual injections but are considering Prolia which we will have to fund ourselves. Spoke to my breast cancer nurse and she said the Prolia also help to prevent cancer to an extend, more so than the annual shots.
I will certainly start the tablets and see how things go, give it at least 6 months to a year. The only tablets I take in the morning are zink, magnesium and fish oil, so will take the hormone tablets then to filter it out during the day!
Thank you again, good to get information from those who use it rather than medical folks who talk about "studies have shown".
iserbrown
Member
9 years ago
I settled into taking mine during the middle of the day. I find I am naturally active during the day and whether it is mind over matter or not I feel being active keeps your mind off it and it's effects. I did try at night but struggled to settle into sleep, and I am a good sleeper, never really lost much sleep through all of this. I take other medication in the mornings so I didn't want one to counteract the other! It's what's suits! Honestly it's not that bad it's about adjusting to it. I did find one month I couldn't get my preferred brand and had an alternative, generic, goodness...............what a mistake that was! Body was not happy for the change!
melclarity
Member
9 years ago
@At404 firstly it depends which one you'd be put on. I was on Tamoxifen for 4yrs pre menopause and had zero side effects honestly. The side effects Ive found are not just the AI but a combination of things, mainly chemo induced menopause, then chemo and the the AI on top. Mostly joint stiffness is what you'd experience and thats what the Oncologist would tell you. I've tried morning and night, makes no difference at all. I also on my Specialists recommendation come off Arimidex for 6 weeks and had to document it but then had to go back on it. I am now switched to Aromasin but honestly pretty much the same. I'd say theyre niggly side effects, not earth shattering that you couldnt live with. It would take quite a few weeks before you'd notice anything.

As I said, I have 6 monthly Prolia injections due to osteoporosis in my lumbar and neck but that was from chemo not the AI. My Oncologist also said, my next bone scan usually you would see an improvement due to Prolia. So that will be interesting.

Like @socoda said if you feel there are too many side effects, just don't take it, you can choose any time you like. It's always up to you, but I honestly wouldn't be panicked about being debilitated completely by it.

Hugs Melinda xo
AT404
Member
9 years ago
Thank you everyone, all your chats do help - I will most certainly give the hormone blockers a go. As you have mentioned, to not start destroys that opportunity. How does the time of day effect the side effects? I would like to have some idea of what to expect from those on the tablets.
brightspace
Member
9 years ago
Hi @AT404
Katjoys comments are spot on..many factors at play but earlier age diagnosis for age in 20 s seems to be Triple neg in part due to lower estrogen levels
Current trends for mammo scans is for the lowering of age to 40YEARS
Some stats say 30 % of those diagnosed will have it reoccur
As to AI ....start it see how your body copes ..many have few side effects

What were you diagnosed with and number of lymph nodes affected is the deciding factor for your Treatment plan.

All the best B
June1952
Member
9 years ago
Hi @AT404
As @socoda says, it is your decision whether to take the drugs. Talk to your onco about your statistics (not everyone is the same) and go from there. Make your decision and have no regrets later.
Me ? My onco was not about to prescribe them due to age (the older one is the less 'expected' life anyway), the fact that I already had bone issues (osteoarthritis) and the possible interaction with other drugs. I live with that decision which we made together.
Take your time as there really is no rush to make the decision.
Summer :-)
socoda
Member
9 years ago
Hi @AT404, It's a big decision to make, ultimately even if you decide to have the blockers and find you are unable to cope with any side effects there won't be anyone holding you down and cramming them down your throat so you could stop any time you wanted ;), - total choice!! I reckon that's pretty excellent!! All the best Xx
Afraser
Member
9 years ago
I am in my last year on Femara and I have had two side effects, including the wear and tear on my bone density which mercifully was really good to begin with, but no hot flushes, aches, pains or anything like that. I'm willing to put up with some side effects if it helps keep cancer at bay. If I didn't, I know how I would feel if it returned. I also understand there are no guarantees (in life generally!). It's always a personal choice, but I'd advocate for trying it first and then make a decision rather than relying on other people's reactions. Side effects are hugely variable.
Deanne
Member
9 years ago
Your dilemma is one shared by many of us. The thing is we are all different and reactions and side effects can vary a lot. There are some people who are fortunate to have very few effects and others who get the lot!

You can ask your oncologist for the statistics for your particular situation regarding the difference that hormone therapy might make to your chance of recurrence. For me the difference was very significant and that was very persuasive.

I then tried to keep an open mind about what might occur side effects wise. I hoped for the best but did find a few issues. Luckily I have found things that help minimise these effects and I think your body does learn to cope with them better over time. I now find my quality of life is just fine and the few things I have to do to live more comfortably with the hormone therapy are just a part of my day to day life now.

If you do give it a try and find you have a few effects, the ladies on here are great for advice. It is also important to let your oncologist know about issues as many things can have solutions. Don't just think there is nothing that can be done. Sometimes help is just there for the asking. I hope you find the right choice for you.