In this YouTube segment, host Natalie Jill opens a conversation about hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for women who have had estrogen‑positive breast cancer. She acknowledges the fear and hesitation many survivors feel and stresses the need to offer hope without shaming. Speaker B introduces two authoritative resources: Dr. Avram Bluming, a medical oncologist who co‑authored Estrogen Matters and whose family members are thriving on HRT after breast cancer, and Carol Tavris, a clinical researcher, as well as Dr. Corinne Mann, a gynecologist and breast‑cancer survivor who also uses HRT. Both experts argue that HRT does not increase recurrence risk and may actually protect women in low‑estrogen states. Speaker B adds that vaginal estrogen, which remains localized, is especially safe and helps prevent pelvic floor and urinary issues. The segment emphasizes that every woman deserves a fully informed, personalized discussion with a menopause‑savvy provider—whether that be an MD, NP, PA, or midwife—and that the ultimate decision, whether to use HRT or not, should be respected.
Chapters
Every time we talk about hormone replacement, I know there are women listening that say, "I understand the research. I hear the research, and still, I had estrogen-positive cancer. I have a family history. I understand the research. I choose not to do it." There's a lot of women, or their doctor doesn't want to put them on it. Can we speak to them first for a minute? I don't want to shame them into HRT. I want to let— give them some hope too, and then I want to talk to everybody else too.
I would say number one, two resources. I've interviewed them both on the podcast, Dr. Avram Bluming and Carol Tavris. Okay. He's a medical oncologist. She's a clinical researcher. They wrote a book called Estrogen Matters. Avram's wife and daughter were both diagnosed with breast cancer. They are both on estrogen replacement therapy after treatment and doing well. He feels strongly, and he's a medical oncologist, that one of the contributors to why we're seeing so much breast cancer rates that are increasing, there's many things, but he said, I think women in a low estrogen state are more susceptible. So that's number one. And he talks about why HRT can be very beneficial for women post cancer treatment. Number two is Dr. Corinne Mann. She is a GYN. She was a young breast cancer thriver. So she was diagnosed when she was in her medical training. She's now in her 40s. She takes HRT as well. Those are two great resources. They are both very, very solid in their research to demonstrate that those hormone replacement is not going to precipitate a recurrence. So, I would say for anyone that's listening that is on the fence or feels uncomfortable, those are two medical researchers, as well as physicians, who have a lot of experience in this area, far more than I do. It has been my clinical experience that most individuals that have had breast cancer treatment or any other types of cancers do really well with vaginal estrogen. And most people are comfortable because we know that for the most part, it stays localized to the vagina. and it prevents so many other issues, pelvic floor issues, urinary tract infection, et cetera. I think that is where we're getting to. Like providers are now getting comfortable prescribing for those patients. I think that every woman listening, irrespective of background, deserves to have a fully informed conversation with a menopause savvy provider. And there's lots of MDs, nurse practitioners, PAs, et cetera, midwives out there, because everyone deserves it. If you decide that that's not the right decision for you, based on all the information, pros and cons, then that's a decision that we have to respect.
