Question 91
Dear Doctor N,
I had a radical hysterectomy in March. My oncologist said he won't prescribe HRT for 2 years because of the type of cancer I had. It was cervical cancer .... adenocarcinoma of the cervix of the cervix with endometrioid cells. After reading your message board, I am worried that my quality of life will go downhill without HRT. I am 45 years old. My mother had breast cancer, and an aunt died of cervical cancer. My father died of a heart attack. Do you think that 2 years is too long to be without HRT? Do you have any other suggestions that I could use until I am able to start HRT in 2 years?
Thank you so much for your time.
REPLY:
As far as the cervical cancer is concerned, as far as I know there is no contraindication to HRT. If there was endometrial cancer present (I am not sure about what the significance of the endometroid cells were in this case) and it was localized and totally removed, as far as I know there is no contraindication to begin HRT right after the surgery. I think what you have to do if you think you want HRT is seek another opinion from someone who is knowledgeable about this. I would suggest a consultation with a gynecologic oncologist at a university medical center. It would seem that if withholding HRT is not warranted in your situation it would likely not be in your interest to do so. Regardless, as I am sure you already know I cannot make any definitive suggestions for you from where I sit in front of this computer. I would however appreciate an update of your situation as events unfold.