Use of Estriol cream - leaflet says you can't use it if you've had breast cancer. What should I do?

I had lobular breast cancer 5 years ago and took Arimidex for 5 years until last September

I have a sore in the area of my wee area and the doctor has prescribed Estriol1mg

I see  on the leaflet it says do not use if you have ever had breast cancer

can you comment please as I feel very nervous about this

thank you

  • Hi there and thanks for the post

    I am sorry to hear you have had treatment for breast cancer in the past.

    I can appreciate your concerns over using the oestrogen cream and whilst often non hormonal creams are suggested for vaginal dryness or soreness post breast cancer initially, estriol cream can often also be safely used.

    It isn't usually recommended when patients are taking Aromatase inhibitors such as arimidex (anastrazole) but once completed is okay to use. The evidence suggests as it is a cream that treats the vaginal area there is a minimal risk of the oestrogen going through the blood stream, so unlikely to cause a cancer recurrence.

    Anyone unsure should double check with their specialist team just to be on the safe side.

    I hope this is helpful and the sore improves soon.

    Best wishes

    Naomi

    • I too have that problem, I use the Estriol pessaries. Sad to say it hasn't helped much and still suffer with what seems like an UTI but it's not. It's causes me anxiety which then makes it worse. The oncology team don't seem to have time to help with side effects of treatment. I talked with a GP who had worked in oncology dept but she was not helpful, she said the small amount of estrogen would hardly get into the system. I have been on this medication for 3 months, sad to say it hasn't changed anything. 
  • Thank you so much for this information

  • Offline in reply to Carrie47

    Sorry to hear that it has not helped you Thank you for sharing your experience