How fortunate you are to have a supportive family and this is no doubt a tough decision. We submitted your question to Barbara Dehn -- a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years caring for women. She has written an award winning Menopause Guide at www.blueorchidpress.com/ . Here's what she had to say.
Wow, you've been through a lot in the last 3 years, and you must be very worried because of your mom's history of Ovarian Cancer. It also sounds like you've been getting excellent gynecological care and advice from 2 different doctors. You've got a dilemma right? What should you do with the information you have now. I gather from your email that you really don't want to have both ovaries removed, and perhaps you need more reassurance or more information from your health care providers so that you understand why they are making these suggestions.
It's always best to talk to the physicians and health care providers who know your history and have performed your exams as they have a fuller picture of your situation. I would advise you to call them and discuss your concerns and ask more questions, so that you are making a truly informed decision. Since your family is very supportive, having one of them with you during those discussions may also be helpful.
Having said that, as I read your email, and think about your situation, I would agree with both doctors. In my opinion, the safest thing for you to do, given your family history, your age and your risk of ovarian cancer is to have both ovaries removed. Your ovaries will be decreasing their hormone output and you're already headed to menopause. Hormone treatments can be started right away, and what we are discovering now is that younger women who start hormones have fewer risks than women who start in their 60's. As for your depression, the worry about whether you'll develop ovarian cancer may be playing a role here. Also, 10% of women will develop a thyroid issue, so be sure to ask for a thyroid blood test too.
Sometimes we just need to hear the same advice from several different people before we can make our decision. I hope that this has helped you. Best of luck and let us know how everything turns out.
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How fortunate you are to have a supportive family and this is no doubt a tough decision. We submitted your question to Barbara Dehn -- a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years caring for women. She has written an award winning Menopause Guide at www.blueorchidpress.com/ . Here's what she had to say.
Wow, you've been through a lot in the last 3 years, and you must be very worried because of your mom's history of Ovarian Cancer. It also sounds like you've been getting excellent gynecological care and advice from 2 different doctors. You've got a dilemma right? What should you do with the information you have now. I gather from your email that you really don't want to have both ovaries removed, and perhaps you need more reassurance or more information from your health care providers so that you understand why they are making these suggestions.
It's always best to talk to the physicians and health care providers who know your history and have performed your exams as they have a fuller picture of your situation. I would advise you to call them and discuss your concerns and ask more questions, so that you are making a truly informed decision. Since your family is very supportive, having one of them with you during those discussions may also be helpful.
Having said that, as I read your email, and think about your situation, I would agree with both doctors. In my opinion, the safest thing for you to do, given your family history, your age and your risk of ovarian cancer is to have both ovaries removed. Your ovaries will be decreasing their hormone output and you're already headed to menopause. Hormone treatments can be started right away, and what we are discovering now is that younger women who start hormones have fewer risks than women who start in their 60's. As for your depression, the worry about whether you'll develop ovarian cancer may be playing a role here. Also, 10% of women will develop a thyroid issue, so be sure to ask for a thyroid blood test too.
Sometimes we just need to hear the same advice from several different people before we can make our decision. I hope that this has helped you. Best of luck and let us know how everything turns out.
Barbara Dehn NP, www.nursebarb.com
July 21, 2008 - 8:36pmThis Comment
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