Today was my first ever Zoladex treatment. My breast cancer is oestrogen positive so to prevent another reoccurrence, this time I am being put in to the menopause.
Zoladex (also known as Goserelin) is used in the treatment of hormone-sensitive breast cancer, particularly in premenopausal women like me. Zoladex works by suppressing ovarian function, which in turn reduces the production of oestrogen—a hormone that unfortunately for me, has fuelled the growth of my oestrogen positive breast cancer. Essentially the Zoladex is will temporarily "shut down" my ovaries by sending signals to my brain to stop production of oestrogen. If I can cope with the symptoms of menopause then I will consider opting to have my ovaries removed. The great thing about Zoladex is that the effects are reversible, should my quality of life be impacted to a great extent.
In breast cancer treatment, Zoladex is often used in combination with other therapies such as surgery, chemotherapy, or hormonal treatments. It is typically prescribed to women who have early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer or those who are at high risk of recurrence. By lowering oestrogen levels, Zoladex helps to shrink tumours, prevent cancer recurrence, and, in some cases, delay the need for chemotherapy.
Zoladex is an implant that sits under the skin and is administered via an injection, usually every month (like in my case) or every three months, depending on the treatment plan. While it is not a cure for breast cancer, it is a valuable tool in managing the disease and improving long-term outcomes for many patients. As with any medication, it carries potential side effects, including menopause-like symptoms such as hot flashes and changes in menstrual cycles and the one that they mention the most.... vaginal dryness. Everyone is different so I'll let you know how I get on.
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