I got a question from a reader about taking hormone replacement therapy after a triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis—she is five years post-diagnosis disease free. (Yea for her.) I cannot find any research on this specific issue, but I did find a few related studies. Some of you might have similar questions, so I am posting this for others who might be in this situation.
• Some cases of HR- recur as HR+. Research on this was published in the Annals of Oncology. It was a pretty small sample, though—only 40 women initially.
• Estrogen can be a factor in the earliest formation of hormone-negative disease, according to research in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
• The association between HRT use and breast cancer was the same for TNBC as for other forms of breast cancer in another study in the Annals of Oncology.
• Oral contraceptives were associated with a higher risk of TNBC in a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.
I would suggest trying alternative treatments such as acupuncture, yoga, and meditation. Also, watch your diet–eat lots of vegetables and fruit, reduce fats, processed carbs (sugar, white flour), caffeine, and alcohol. These will also help you fight cancer–an added bonus–and lose weight, which can reduce menopausal symptoms. Also, make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D. I had success with evening primrose for hot flashes.