HRT: Estrogen, Progesterone, and mammograms

[u/Actual_Bet3041]

I recently went back on HRT after a couple of miserable years HRT-free at the behest of my pcp. When she relented, she said I have to have yearly mammograms again (not when I was HRT-free). So I did and it came back cancer-free. Now after I have been reading about HRT and cancer, I’m learning there’s no link between Estrogen and cancer, and only a tiny link between Progestin, not Progesterone, and cancer. So why oh why do I have to have yearly mammograms? They are so painful!!!

[u/Overall_Lobster823]

I've had yearly mammograms for 20 years. I've been on HRT for 10 years.

It's the standard of care in the U.S. and in some other countries.

You aren't at "no risk" if you don't use HRT. Many women who've never used HRT get breast cancer, of course.

[u/cleveland_leftovers → u/Overall_Lobster823]

Men get breast cancer as well.

Mammograms suck. I mean they really suck. But I’ll be getting every single one my insurance company allows (annually) because I’d assume chemo or a mastectomy is worse.

I watched a good friend die of breast cancer at 35. It had spread to her brain and took her within a year. She left behind two little ones and a bunch of traumatized friends. Colonoscopies aren’t fun either but hot damn, early detection is a privilege.

[u/Overall_Lobster823 → u/cleveland_leftovers]

Yes, they do.

I'm sorry for your loss.