hormone therapy

Some breast cancers can be stimulated to grow by the female hormones, estrogen and progesterone. If your cancer is ER+ or PR+ you may be required to use anti-estrogen drugs to stop the body from producing this hormone. 

Hormone therapy is typically started once the initial treatments have concluded. This may occur before an ovarian ablation is completed.

Your ovaries may have been damaged from treatment, and if you require ovarian ablation you will be placed into surgical menopause. This can be a much more difficult transition for your body than natural menopause where your estrogen levels reduce over time. 

Talk to your medical team about being referred to a menopause specialist, who can help you better understand what options are available to you. 

• Wear layers so you can adjust your clothing to best match your body temperature.
• Menopause may affect your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Talk to your physician about what options exist to help you get the rest you need.
• Get educated. Early menopause causes increased risk of heart disease, osteoporosis, and dementia. We found reading The Menopause Manifesto, by Dr. Jen Gunter very informative. Check it out - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/books/652048/the-menopause-manifesto-by-dr-jen-gunter/9780735280786
• Podcast: The Science of Memory and Why We Forget with Lisa Genova https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/sibling-revelry-with-kate-hudson-and-oliver-hudson/id1485798128?i=1000523268956