It all started when I turned 40

Emma May, Hi,

I was also diagnosed with breast cancer around my 40th b'day. The timing of mamagrams etc is almost identical. That was seven years ago and I have resisted sites like this as I didn't particulary identify. I deal with a kind of guilt because as far as diagnosis and treatments go, like you early detection, small ammounts and low grade of cancer mean we are extremely fortunate. However, seven years, on I still haven't been signed off oncology, ie, I have been prescribed tamoxifen for another five years. Apart from my guilt at being OK, I struggle with not being defined by breast cancer but by being defined by the treatment. Seven years on Tamoxifen and it's side effects are ruining my life and while there is a lot of sympathy from both professional services and family and friends at the end of the day, I that amplified mood swings, hot flushes, lack of concentration, lack of sleep are just turning me into a monster. The shame of yet another falling out due to a bad day is a constant prescence in my life. I wander when they'll be no one left to upset?