Medical Questions » Menopause Questions » Question No. 667
| Question: | I have had breast cancer and a total hysterectomy at a relatively early age. I am concerned about premature ageing but my doctor says I cannot take hormones. What can I do? |
| Answer: | This is an extraordinarily difficult problem to deal with. Most women who have a total hystetectomy take oestrogen to ptevent the problems of menopause, but if you have had breast cancer, most doctors believe that you should not use this hormone because it may result in a recurrence of the cancer. More recently, some doctors are using oestrogen in this situation as they argue that oestrogen does not cause breast cancer. I would suggest that you avoid oestrogen unless it is absolutely necessary to use it.
To prevenr osteoporosis you should ear plenty of dairy products and take calcium tablets. The prematute growth of facial hait can be controlled by a medication called spironolactone. Exercise is important to keep your body roned up as much as possible. A well-fitted bra and possibly plastic surgery may help the sagging breasts and can replace a breast removed for cancer. Skin moistur-isers and plastic surgery can be used to control premature skin ageing in all parts of the body.
By being careful with your body and taking the appropriate medical advice there is no reason why anyone should place you in an older age group than you are, and you should live a full and normal life well into your 80s.
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