Is it safe for me to use natural progesterone cream if I’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer?

Hi Catherine,

My younger sister and cousin have both had breast cancer. My mammagrams return fine. My Dr said, no more HRT. Is it safe for me to use progesterone? I have night sweats and hot flashes that are making me crazy Thank you. (~Susan~)

My Mother had breast cancer, as did my Father’s sister. Is is safe for me to use natural progesterone cream to help with re-building bone cells. I have been diagnosed with Osteopenia (thinning of bone density)in my lumbar spine area. (~Pema~)

I had breast cancer surgery last June of 2003. My tumor was very small and found early. I was stopped from taking hormones at that time. I have been feeling pretty bad and have put on even more weight since the surgery. I was wondering about taking bio-identical hormones. (~Maxine~)

I have metastatic breast cancer and would like information about the use of natural hormones, particularly progesterone, in the treatment (as distinct from the prevention) of advanced breast cancer. If such treatment is appropriate for someone in my situation, I am also hoping to find an experienced clinician (preferably in Canada) to consult with my GP. (~Chris~)

Dear Ladies,

You might recall a few weeks ago I made reference to ‘Doris’, a GP in NSW, Australia who’d written to me last year after being diagnosed with early breast cancer. In this particular newsletter I made the comment; “My prayer for Doris who, incidentally, was put in touch with a GP who could support her, is that she gets well and goes on to become an advocate for bio-identical HRT. God knows we need more thick-skinned crusaders! ”

Well, to her credit, this very courageous lady has indeed done just that! Doris was back in touch this week to share her journey, both as a woman surviving breast cancer, and as a medical practitioner who now incorporates BHRT into her clinical practice. And I have no doubt whatsoever that her personal and professional journey will touch at the heart of women bracing themselves against this insidious disease!

A letter from Doris …

Hi Catherine,

I emailed you last year. I am a GP who was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2003. While I was having my diagnostic tests, I encountered a new patient who wanted to use natural progesterone instead of synthetic HRT, and discovered the Zava/Lee book on breast cancer. It had to be divine intervention! Dr Lee’s book lead me into a lot of research, including of course on the internet, which was how I found your website. You very kindly provided me with names of some doctors in NSW who were prescribing NHRT. I thought I would give you a progress report and further hope to women who may be in my situation or who want to avoid breast cancer.

I’d like to share my story as I think there are a number of salutory points.

In July 2003 I was diagnosed with grade II breast cancer (I had one positive lymph node and aggressive histology). A mammogram done 3 months earlier had been reported as negative! Mammograms are not infallible!

After reading your e-book and Dr Lee’s books, I realised that I had been estrogen dominant for many years, as evidence by fibroids, migraine headaches, a large ovarian cyst, and a tendency to stress easily. No gynaecolgist I had ever been to suggested that this was my underlying problem - they don’t know!

I hit menopause at 48 and started taking Livial, as this was marketed to GPs as NOT having a stimulatory effect on the breast. After about 6 months on Livial, I noticed that my breast were larger! I had been on Livial for 12 months when I found the lump in my left breast. After my diagnosis, I rang the manufacturer of Livial, Organon, and asked for their data on Livial and breast cancer. Their medical adviser told me that they have no human data at present, only rat data! There is a study underway which is expected to be published in 2005!

When my cancer situation was assessed, I was advised to have lumpectomy and axillary clearance, followed by chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and later Tamoxifen. The chemotherapy was a bit of a moot point as even the specialist acknowledged this would only give me a 3% increase in survival at ten years. I was told I would have to have radiotherapy as I would otherwise have a 30% risk of recurrence on the same side. I told them I would think about it.

I spent four weeks intensively researching the medical literature. The American Cancer Society has a great website which includes a