Good evening everyone. Had an appointment with my Onc today and we were discussing my treatment for after chemo. He is planning on putting me on Aromasin and back onto the Zoladex as I still have my ovaries. I am 45 soon to be 46 and have well and truly finished having my family. Has anyone else out there of a similar age and diagnosis to me had their ovaries removed as part of their treatment? I am not that keen to go for another op as I am an unexpected bleeder when it comes to ops. My understanding is that even though you can decide to have your ovaries removed, your pituitary gland will still produce some estrogen. Correct me if I am wrong, but that was something told to me by a nurse when I was first diagnosed. I am content enough to stay with just the tablets and the monthly injection, which I will probably go with, but am curious to know how others may have gone or how you have been advised. Hope all are travelling as well as possible. Take care. Tracey

Hi Tracey I am ummng and arring over this one too! I am going to have genetic testing done on 17th June to find out if I carry the BC gene mutation. If I do, then I'll definitely get my ovaries removed as there is a lot higher risk of getting ovarian cancer....if I'm negative though I don't know what I'll do?? Like you, I am still young (43) and although I have finished having children (well and truly thanks!) I still don't really want to have any more surgery unless I have to. That said though I am having a bit of revisionery surgery around October as part of my reconstruction so I guess I could incorporate it into that operation if I get my act together and make a decision...... It's all too hard at the moment! I wish someone would just tell me what to do! Take care, Louise

Iam 53 and on tamoxifen and zoladex injections, I did not have chemo or radiation . I had a masectomey in March this year. I am waiting to have the genetic test as well, I have made an appointment with the gyno to discuss this on the 30th of this mth. I have already decided to have my ovaries removed, but if it comes back positive I will have a hysterectomy. Wiil ask about the pituitary gland and will let you know. Debbie

Hi Jan, With the Zoladex injections they are approx $34.00 a month from the chemist and on top of that if your doctor charges a fee then there will be that cost also. For women they tend to do them monthly as it seems to work in accordance with the monthly cycle even though it stops that. I am still undecided about having my ovaries out as I am going to be 46 and I am approaching that age of menopause anyway. Considering the fact that I have secondary cancer, I am not sure if I am prepared to go through with a surgery. Everyone is individual with their menopause symptoms. I am in medical menopause and apart from the hot flushes really annoying me sometimes on really hot days, I haven't found it to be a problem but I do know others have been through a rough time. If you know what your mum went through when she was menopausal, the chances are that you may be similar to her. Even though my menopause was forced on me, I feel that I have been quite lucky with my symptoms. Good luck with your decision and treatments. Hope all goes well. Take care. Tracey

Hi Tracey, Thanks so much for getting back to me. I am wondering now if it is Zoladex my oncologist was referring to when he said I could have a monthly injection to stop my ovaries from working. He said it was $500 - $600 dollars per injection as they are not on the pbs.( I also wonder if it depends on what state you live in, I am in Victoria). I would definetely go with this option if not for the money involved. I am 48 and also probably not far off menopause, but have to do something very soon so I can come off tamoxifen. Don't you just hate these decisions!!! I am glad you are not suffering too many symptoms of menopause, hopefully I won't either as I think my mum went ok, but was told after having ovaries out the symptoms would be likely to be more severe. Anyway I guess I will just wait and see. Thanks again, I really appreciated your reply and will let you know how I go. All the best and take care. Jan

Ovaries?? | BCNA Online Network

14 Replies

traxx65
Member
15 years ago
Thanks Jan. Take care.

Tracey xx
Jan_K
Member
15 years ago
Thats funny!!! Well happy 46th Birthday, have a great day. Jan.
Jan_K
Member
15 years ago
Thanks Debbie for your reply and the information. The cost is better than I thought, but still a lot to pay out monthly, which is probably why my oncologist suggests having my ovaries out. Good luck with your hysterectomy. All the best Jan.
Jan_K
Member
15 years ago
Thanks Debbie for your reply and the information. The cost is better than I thought, but still a lot to pay out monthly, which is probably why my oncologist suggests having my ovaries out. Good luck with your hysterectomy. All the best Jan.
traxx65
Member
15 years ago
OMG I just realised I aged myself by a year. Must be too much chemo. Ha ha. I am only going to be 46 this week. Woops
Jan_K
Member
15 years ago
Thanks Tracey, I am going to look into it. Happy 47th Birthday and best wishes for many many more. Thanks again. Jan
traxx65
Member
15 years ago
Hi Jan,

I am in Victoria also. I am just wondering about the cost. I get it on the pbs and it costs $34.10 (I think) If it wasn't on the pbs it would be $334 +, but I am wondering if it is only covered by the pbs if you have mets/secondaries. I have mets in my sacrum and my oncologist has to go through the government to get authorisation for me to have it. You can check with medicare and the pbs online and you can check what the costs and restrictions of medications are.

I am 47 next week and I suppose borderline for menopause also and I don't really want to have to put myself through surgery as my body is already compromised by the mets.

Take care and I hope things go well for you.

Tracey xx
Debbie_J
Member
15 years ago
Hi Jan I am on Zoladex injections monthly and also Tamoxifen. I have been on them for about 3mths.The cost of the Zoladex is $334.00 to buy and on top of that the cost of the Dr. I am on a health card and only pay $5.60. I would not be able to afford it other wise. I am just starting to have menopause symptoms , but only hot flushes which is not too bad at this stage. I am 53. I live in N.S.W. I have decided to have a hysterectomy , which I am having on the 19th of this mth. Good luck Debbie.
Debbie_J
Member
15 years ago
Hi Jan I am on Zoladex injections monthly and also Tamoxifen. I have been on them for about 3mths.The cost of the Zoladex is $334.00 to buy and on top of that the cost of the Dr. I am on a health card and only pay $5.60. I would not be able to afford it other wise. I am just starting to have menopause symptoms , but only hot flushes which is not too bad at this stage. I am 53. I live in N.S.W. I have decided to have a hysterectomy , which I am having on the 19th of this mth. Good luck Debbie.
Jan_K
Member
15 years ago
Hi Tracey, Thanks so much for getting back to me. I am wondering now if it is Zoladex my oncologist was referring to when he said I could have a monthly injection to stop my ovaries from working. He said it was $500 - $600 dollars per injection as they are not on the pbs.( I also wonder if it depends on what state you live in, I am in Victoria). I would definetely go with this option if not for the money involved. I am 48 and also probably not far off menopause, but have to do something very soon so I can come off tamoxifen. Don't you just hate these decisions!!! I am glad you are not suffering too many symptoms of menopause, hopefully I won't either as I think my mum went ok, but was told after having ovaries out the symptoms would be likely to be more severe. Anyway I guess I will just wait and see. Thanks again, I really appreciated your reply and will let you know how I go. All the best and take care. Jan