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Boatgirl's avatar
Boatgirl
Member
12 years ago

oestrogen and Alzheimers

My breast cancer was hormone positive.  I then had ovaries removed with hysterectomy to reduce the oestrogen.

I'm due to start drugs soon.

Just watched a TV show on Alzheimers and one of the risk factors was lack of oestrogen.  My mother died of Alzheimers which she got about 7-8 years after breast cancer and stopping HRT.  Not sure if she took any drugs to prevent cancer coming back.

I really don't want to get Alzheimers - it's a long slow way to die and is so hard on family. 

Given this information - What are my choices - don't reduce oestrogen any further and take a chance on cancer returning or remove oestrogen and increase chances of getting Alzheimers?  

Does anyone know where to find any research on this?

What do others think?

 

3 Replies

  • Ebb_and_Flow's avatar
    Ebb_and_Flow
    Member
    12 years ago

    Hi Boatgirl, my cancer was hormone receptive also. I'm currently taking Tamoxifen for this. I also have a family history of Alzheimers. It is my understanding that the Tamoxifen doesn't stop the body producing oestrogen it just stops oestrogen binding to breast tissue.....? At this stage of the game I'm putting trust in my oncologist. For me the risk of BC reoccurrence is more immediate and threatening but I would love it if you would share any information you find with us. Good luck, thanks for bringing this up. Cheers, Ingrid xx

  • TonyaM's avatar
    TonyaM
    Member
    12 years ago

    How do they explain about all the men who get Alzheimers?They don't have eostrogen in the first place.I guess it's like breast cancer-lots of risk factors and very complex.You need to find a happy compromise that you feel is right for you. Good luck. Tonya xx

  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    12 years ago
    It is my understanding that some small studies have been done on this,but it is connected more to people that have a SPECIFIC genetic link for Alzheimer's,and even then ,this sort of information is from small studies,and in the early stages also.My grandmother died from Alzheimer's,but there is no way I would stop my Tamoxifen,as I believe that our doctors here in Australia have the very latest information regarding BC and risks of different treatments.I do know that it is possible to keep your brain active by doing things like crosswords,on a very regular basis.Reading is good also,but puzzles are better I think,because they work the brain.All the best with your choice,and I would be interested in hearing any information that you get from your doctor.Cheers Robynxox