Forum Discussion
- I got Liz’s book from the library and as kmakm mentioned, it’s very straightforward and almost like a step by step plan. Probably best aimed at anyone newly diagnosed, I thought similar but more in depth than the “Early Breast Cancer” one I received from the surgeon day of diagnosis. UK aimed, but I think I’ll mention it to anyone newly diagnosed from now on :)
I was hopeful for more lobular information given Liz had a lobular component to her BC but that was limited. - @lrb_03 I agree and same for me :/
- And for me, the side effects will most likely outweigh any potential benefit, @melclarity.
- @lrb_03 yes absolutely and I admit I sure never would have believed id be on meds for 10yrs, the percentages are quite low really in benefit, but for me it was because of a recurrence. Cant wait to be done!
- It will still be a total of 10 years on something, which is what more & more oncologists are recommending, @melclarity. Having been thrown in to menopause by chemo, I went straight to AI.
- @lrb_03 I was on tamoxifen for 4yrs thats not at AI though. Then due to a recurrence i was thrown into menopause where I was put onto Arimidex. So my total time on an AI will only be 5yrs. Its just a bummer tamoxifen didnt work.
- I've been on AI's for a bit over 3 years, @melclarity. My med onc hasn't yet broached continuing beyond 5 years, but that will be an interesting discussion, as I'm not keen to continue, having developed bilateral de quervain's.
I certainly had prolonged oestrogen exposure, having never been pregnant, and staring menstruating at a young age.
As @kezmusc says, for me, worrying about what caused it is like closing the gate after the horse has bolted. There's nothing I can change. It is, however, a question that needs asking from a research perspective if we're ever to have a chance of prevention, not just cure
Always like to read your comments, your thoughts and questions.
Take care - @lrb_03 it is interesting, I think I made the comment as I spoke to a Scientist about 6 months ago, a very interesting conversation. She is pre menopausal but suffered fibroids, anyway she gets her oestrogen levels checked and she said when we have predominantly high levels circulating and for a long time is what leads to problems be it in the uterus or breast.
I did receive a reply from my Oncologist today about alot of things. This is what he said about the question that I had.
Tamoxifen works in the same way whatever the level of oestrogen is in the blood, hence a reason why we don't 'check' levels of oestrogen in the blood. Also, we don't believe that spot oestrogen levels per se affect breast cancer development, but rather it is the prolonged exposure to oestrogen that has the major impact - hence why some women who take HRT for years after menopause have a higher risk of developing breast cancer.
So from this I understand now from him, that he's saying it doesn't matter the levels in the blood but rather the prolonged exposure to oestrogen. I guess I wondered if we had high levels of oestrogen surely at a younger age being aware of that and reducing it either by diet which is very possible or medication of some sort would surely impact BC developing. Just a thought. I was asking him in terms of prevention, uuugh so frustrating.
All interesting but then I think, theyre no closer to knowing anything about how it all works. 18 months and I am DONE! finished with an AI after being on medication currently for 8.5 years I am soooo over it all!!!
x M - Thanks, @kmakm, as with her blog, a great article.
@melclarity, I can see your logic in looking at oestrogen levels, but post menopausal women still get ER positive bc, with low levels of circulating oestrogen. I would think it may possibly be nothing to do with blood levels as such, but the receptors on tissue cells - @kmakm have managed to track it down from a neighbor library, awaiting its delivery :smiley:
