Contraceptive pills

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

I think it would be very interesting to discuss about how they can affect cancer because I read a lot different opinions and I am not sure what to believe. I know several women who developed mastophatia because they had been taken pills for a very long time.
What do you think about it? Maybe you know some important links on this topic.
Thank you

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 10:37 am Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

They are hormones and I can't imagine how they could do anything but increase your chances of BC, especially if your BC is er/pr+ which means it feeds off hormones.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

So what would you suggest if taking those pills are extremely important for me? I have a big problem about it...I don't want kids. I am old enough and still I don't think that I'll ever want them Rolling Eyes

And I don't want to get abortion, no way...I was considering sterilization but that is a very big step and requires much thinking

Muttsmom · Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2005 7:05 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Flynn,
My opinion for what it's worth. There is already a chance that you could have BC, or it may end up not being BC. The pill, like condoms aren't 100%, but I sure wouldn't stay on the pill. Too much is known about the pill, HRT etc. I understand that not having kids is important to you, but as someone who's been dx with advanced BC and gone through multiple surgeries, chemo, radiation and was 43, I wouldn't do anything that could raise my chances of getting this disease. I've been there, done that and I'll forever have a black cloud hanging over my head, like everyone else, not knowing if and when the cancer will return. This disease SUCKS to put it mildly. I'm just giving you my view from someone who knows the reality of this disease.
If you are certain you don't want kids, but don't want the have your tubes tied in case you change your mind, I'd talk to a gyn and see if there is anyway to do it and the chances being good that it could be reversed. I know my SIL had her tubes tied after 3 kids and put some kind of clamp (I don't know the technical terms and it's been years ago) so they couldn't grow back but on the same hand, if they wanted to have more kids, which hasn't happened, it would be easier to reverse it.
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

God..That is a big problem for me Rolling Eyes

I always was thinking that if I go to doctor really regurarly if someone is not good, it will be time to do something, I mean BC is also curable if you start early. Because I still would kike to wait until I am 35 and then if I really don't want kids have my tubes tied. But that means 5 more years with contraceptive pills Sad

And all in all it would be about 10 years Crying or Very sad

Ssheila · New User Joined: 21 Jan 2005 Posts: 1 Location: France

Hello, this topic is also important for me.
I am 25 years old. I don't have any kids yet but I am married and I want to have them that's for sure. But right now the time is not good because I have just started new job, we still rent an apartment but we are planning to buy one soon and I haven't finished my studies so I guess I need to wait at least 2 years and maybe more.
So I also take pills. I have been taking them since I was 18, so that's a long period. But I talked to my doctor, he says that I just need to check my breasts regurarly and that is nothing to worry about.
In my family no one had BC, only my brother died from leukemia.
What your comments on my situation would be. Is it still so dangerous to take pills for me?
Thank you so much

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Hi,

Well, I just have to jump in here and say that if a woman is on some kind of hormonal manipulation that a doctor should never say "there is nothing to worry about." JMHO My mom took HRT for many years and got breast cancer. I never took HRT but got it anyway. I was never overweight, (always a little under) had a healthy diet and did not drink alcoholic beverages. BUT...I DID take birth control pills. Of course, when I started taking them, I was told they were very safe and there was nothing to worry about. I hear from other women that lots of younger girls are being prescribed birth control pills to help with their cycles, etc. It just makes me shudder. I'm not saying that if you take birth control pills or fertility drugs that you will get breast cancer because not everyone does. I just think that women have to be more cautious and seriously consider these risks.

Also, another thing that "irked" me. When I was first dx, I kept getting "grilled" about past hormonal manipulations. "Did you ever take birth control pills? HRT? Anything else?" All of a sudden it WAS a big deal.

I'm just saying it's wise to be very careful in this area. It all depends on if the benefits outweigh the risks. I just think women should be carefully informed of all the risks. What is not seen as a risk today can be a risk tomorrow.

Hugs,

Margie

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 8:25 am Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Flynn,
There is NO CURE for breast cancer, regardless if you catch it early or not. Even someone that is a stage I has a chance of having a reoccurence. NO ONE is assured of not having a reoccurence.

Another thing. I went for my mammograms, just like I was suppose to and also did self breast exams. I found a lump and went to have it checked. My mammogram showed "normal" and the ultra sound was read to be a benign cyst. What the truth was, is I had Stage III breast cancer that had spread to 9 of my lymph nodes out of 16.

If you'll notice, the ads for HRT and the pill are trying to push the "low hormone" dose, but if you'll listen to them, they tell you that anyone that has been dx with BC should NOT take the pill or HRT......... that should tell you something when the companies that make the pill, HRT etc. are trying to make the dose of estrogen low and also giving the warning about BC.

Will you definately get BC, no. Would I ever put any kind of hormone in my body, no matter how lose the dose, even to stop hot flashes etc. NO. I take Arimidex, something to kill hormones and hopefully it will prevent a reoccurence. Unless you've been through the dx of BC and all the treatments and know that you are never safe from it coming back, I'm sure I seem melodramatic. There is NO way I, or any of my friends I've met through BC boards would touch any type of hormone when most BC feed on hormones, estrogen and/or progestrine.

It's your choice of course, but I'm just stating facts and the fear that comes along with a dx of BC and never knowing when and if it will strike again, but again there is NO CURE for this disease and from the oncos and other health care professionals I've talked to, we're no where close to finding a cure.
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

penelopez · Senior User Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 165

Nancy ~ I agree with you. Although most women do well we don't know for sure WHO is going to do well or for HOW LONG.

When I finished my treatements I asked my rad onc if I was "cured" or in "remission." He said, "We cannot say cured. We say you are NED." (no evidence of disease)

Of course, I like to *think* of myself as cured, but no one knows for sure. You could have poor prognositic indicators and do well OR you could have good prognostic indicators and do poorly. We can only hope.

Hugs,

Margie

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 10:23 am Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Sheila,
One thing I didn't address that you mentioned was that there is no history of BC in your family. I was the 1st one to be dx with any kind of cancer as far back as we know. Only around 10-15% of BC has to do with family history.
Best wishes
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

I am so scared now Sad

Muttsmom · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 11:38 am Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

I didn't mean to scare you, but felt the truth was important about there not being a cure as much as I wish there were.

Didn't you have calcifications that were going to be biopsied? I may be confused, which wouldn't be the 1st time. I was thinking you said that they had seen something on the mammogram or you found something.

My mom who is 82 was taken off HRT 2 years ago. She took it for menopause, but with all the latest studies that were out, they had her stop taking them. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't want to see anyone, especially my own mother get this disease at any age, but to me, that says alot when they pull someone her age off of it.

Best wishes and you'll make the right decision for you Smile

Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

But is HRT the same as contraceptive pills? Rolling Eyes

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

And I have one more question, maybe you know, do women have to take hormones after they have their tubes tied?
Thanx

sgishelly · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 12:37 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Flynn,

HRT and birth control pills are both hormones and many breast cancer are estrogen and progesterone positive. Mine is and I will have to take something to block these hormones.

As far as taking hormones after having your tubes tied...you do not have to take anything after that. I had my tubes tied (after 3 children) 12 years ago and have had no problems whatsoever.

I share your concern about BC pills because my daughter is 18 and was recently put on BC to regulate her cycles. Because of my history, that really concerns me. I would prefer that she not be on them and I have voiced that concern to her...but in the end, it's her decision and I just have to deal with it.
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

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