Hormone Blockers following successful chemo and surgery

MMAN

Hi everyone, 
I had ER+, PR-, HER2- breast cancer, grade 3, ki67=60%, and one lymph node cancerous and chemo for 6 months and got a complete pathological response following surgery recently (YIPPEE) and feeling very grateful.  My oncologist wants me to take Zoladex injections and Exemestane for 5 years.  I would like to know everyone's views on this, given no detectable cancer following treatment.  I am scared of the side effects of the hormone treatment for 5 years but also scared of recurrence.  Anyone else in this boat?

arpie

Hi @MMAN .... Your Onc should be able to tell you the 'percentage chance' of a recurrence - doing a 'probability' test, that indicates the possibility of return ... Grade 3 can be the reason for the meds as well .... 

Not everyone gets side effects from the tablets .... and those of us that did - many of us have asked for a change in meds and that has often solved the problem.  I was on Exemestane for 6 months before getting side effects, then changed to Anastrozole & been on it for 4.5 years now!  So definitely worth asking about a change if the first one you take doesn't suit you.

take care & all the best.

Now that you are finished your 'active treatment' don't forget to look into Otis Foundation for a little holiday with family/friends next year ..... 
http://www.otisfoundation.org.au/directory

Julez1958

Hi @MMAN
Not everyone has an adverse reaction to these therapies and if you do it will not necessarily be serious.
You will need to look out for your  bone density ( my oncologist ordered a bone density scan and I now take Actonel  to strengthen my bones. I am post menopausal (64) 
I am taking exemestene after switching from Letrazole and have a bit of an issue with  my right thumb but am managing it .I have been in the hormone tablets almost 2 years.
I had a large tumour(5.5cm)  , double mastectomy , no lymph node involvement but strongly hormone positive so had radiotherapy but didn’t have chemotherapy but my oncologist wants me to stay on the hormone therapy for at least  5 years, possibly longer.
The best comment I saw from a lady on here about side effects from the hormone therapy was she was still here!
If you do have side effects raise with your oncologist and seek a second opinion if necessary.
Take care.
🌺

Afraser

@MMAN

Being scared of a recurrence is completely normal. Being scared of side effects before you have tried the medication is reacting to the experiences of others  - you may have no unpleasant side effects or, like me (nearly at the ten year mark) side effects you consider quite manageable. Remember - you can always stop. Give it a shot - you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you have done your best (all we can ever do) regardless of the outcome. Best wishes. 

Cath62

Hi @MMAN, I had hormone positive, Her2 negative, grade 3 and a ki67 at 69%. I had surgery, 4 months chemo and 1 month radium. No lymph involvement and now take Letrozole. Started on tamoxifen but changed due to side effects. I am getting pain in my hands but not too bad. I might change the hormone suppression treatment again when I see the oncologist in Dec.

I was diagnosed in April 2020 so active treatment finished this time of year in 2020. I queried needing hormone suppression treatment but my oncologist explained that the hormone suppression treatment was actually 60% of my treatment plan. This was largely due to grade 3 cells and a high ki67 indicator. 

Initially I had no side effects on tamoxifen but then side effects kicked in after 20 months so hence the change. Talk to your oncologist and ask what percentage tge hormone suppression is of your treatment. If it is a big part of it like mine is, give it a go. You may find you have no issues and if you do, your oncologist can always look at other AI meds. Good luck