Breast cancer and Endo

Hi Colleen
Not sure what you mean by endo?
-Lisa

Endometriosis

Excuse my ignorance, what is Endometriosis?
I'm ER+, but never heard of it...

That is ok...actually...that is good that you don't know about it...it means you don't have it. I am not sure if there is any connection at all....but it just seems to me that estrogen plays a part in all of this.


Here is some info: Endometriosis is a painful, chronic disease that affects 5 1/2 million women and girls in the USA and Canada, and millions more worldwide. It occurs when tissue like that which lines the uterus (tissue called the endometrium) is found outside the uterus -- usually in the abdomen on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and ligaments that support the uterus; the area between the vagina and rectum; the outer surface of the uterus; and the lining of the pelvic cavity. Other sites for these endometrial growths may include the bladder, bowel, vagina, cervix, vulva, and in abdominal surgical scars. Less commonly they are found in the lung, arm, thigh, and other locations.

This misplaced tissue develops into growths or lesions which respond to the menstrual cycle in the same way that the tissue of the uterine lining does: each month the tissue builds up, breaks down, and sheds. Menstrual blood flows from the uterus and out of the body through the vagina, but the blood and tissue shed from endometrial growths has no way of leaving the body. This results in internal bleeding, breakdown of the blood and tissue from the lesions, and inflammation -- and can cause pain, infertility, scar tissue formation, adhesions, and bowel problems.

Wow.. very interesting... thanks for explaining!

Hi Colleen - I don't have endrometreosis, but I do have other estrogen sensitivities and also wonder about the possible connection. I'm strongly Est positive and weakly Progest positive. I've had estrogen related migraines since I was a teen (along with all the other women in my family including my 12-year old daughter). And I had (have again) uterine fibroids that weren't discovered until I was 5 months pregnant - these also grow with more estrogen and shrink without (e.g. after menopause). So I'd wonder if it's not some type of oversensitivity caused by estrogen in groundwater? (There are data showing it's everywhere - from women using birth control pills for decades now), hormones in meat products? (they give to both cows and chickens to stimulate production of milk and eggs). This could be something like an allergic reaction, where when there is overexposure, some individuals develop a sensitivity. Seems some studies looking at spatial relationships might shed some light. But then how to address?

It makes sense, does'nt it? Many years ago I was treated with Danazol and at one point birth control pills to stop my periods because of the endo. It seems like every medical problem I have had...had something to do with estrogen...or at least started that way. All that estrogen...and could never conceive. Go figure!!

Me. My endo resulted in a complete hysterectomy 10ish years ago. The surgery resulted in hormone replacement. The hormone replacement may have resulted in the BC, which was ER and PR positive. I'm not certain where the PR+ entered the picture, considering I have no ovaries.

Blessings,
Moon Masque

Perhaps becasue it is late I am thinking about this but last year I had to go for an ultrasound (abdominal)....and my ovaries are gone too but anyway, the tech must not have read anything about me~ and looked puzzled and says, "I can't find your ovaries"....and I said "well, if you find them let me know!". And then I explained that she would not find them!!

i have never been diagnosed with endometriosis, however my sister had awful problems and had surgery and lupron induced menopause at 25. she has since recovered well and had 2 children - i did have a uterine fibroid that was outside my uterus - i had a hysterectomy in 2004 almost exactly 2 years before i found the breast cancer. the tumor was 7.5 lbs. and caused a lot of bleeding, but that was the only obvious symptom. i have wondered many times if it is all related!?!