Stopping tamoxifen early

Hi BC101

I can't comment fully yet, as I've not yet started on Tamoxifen.  I'm actually seeing a Breast Care nurse tomorrow to discuss my particular situation (IDC 4mm, no lymph nodes, ER/PR+, had lumpectomy and Radiation therapy).  I don't know if there is a significant percentage benefit for me to go onto Tamoxifen (I'm pre-menopausal) or not.  And given the potential side effects, I feel I need to really need to weigh this up.

There is, of course, the 'peace of mind' aspect.  However, I'm struggling with doing all the natural/health things (good diet, remove phyto-estrogens/dairy/gluten, exercise, positive thoughts, mediation/tai chi, etc etc), with then taking a carcinogen every day for the next 5 years!

In some ways it feels like the initial diagnosis, surgery and radiation were the easy bit!  Now to wade through all the pros and cons for drugs or not.  And the ramifications for a decision either way.

We all want to do what will give us the longest and most positive outcome, but at what cost our quality of life?  I'm finding this is very difficult to determine, and also finding it hard to understand which of my medical team I should speak to about this (hence going to a Breast Care Nurse) - Surgeon does surgery, Radiation Oncologist does radiation, GP doesn't get that deeply involved.  I didn't see a Medical Oncologist as didn't have Chemo.  And it is ultimately my decision.  But I need to bounce this off someone....

So unfortunately I can't say what my Tamoxifen experience is (yet).  I know that I will be asking for somone to use the Adjuvantonline.com calculator (Drs only) to work out my survival percentage and then incorporate Tamoxifen into the equation.  If it's not a substantial increase in survival percentage, I may opt to not take it.

Cancer is definately an ongoing journey and not a destination!

Good luck with your decision.  

x