I couldn't tolerate Letrozole. Decided to take my chances without. Now today my oncologist is trying to persuade me to try Tamoxifen. My gut instinct says no - given the range of pluses and minuses in side effects of Tamoxifen. According to my type of tumour and treatment, and my age (75) I have 78.8% (!!!) chance of being alive in five years, and 53.1% of being alive in 10 years. I want whatever years I have left to be as free of side effects as possible. I want to stop thinking of myself as a cancer patient, and focus on quality of life: trying to get some JOY back, ffs. But I suppose I should try to glean the experiences of others in my age group before deciding.

@Sister and @iserbrown - thank you so much for those thoughts. @arpie She said tamoxifen works differently from the AIs, which kill oestrogen cells. Tamox prevents bc cells from using oestrogen cells. She said the likely side effects are hot flushes, nausea, headaches - but that "most older ladies tolerate it very well". It increases the risk of DVT and PEs. Would need to continue taking Xarelto as well (because I had PEs after mastectomy). Small risk long-term of uterine cancer. Reduces risk of ovarian cancer. Protects bone density (from osteoporosis). I'll see how I feel after I'm up and running after my next surgery (possibly late April or May). If I do decide to give it a go, I'm not going to attempt Tamoxifen until I'm feeling really WELL again, so I'd be starting from a strong point.

Have read it now. Some interesting perspectives I'd not encountered before - particularly the idea of a pattern of taking three months off from Tamoxifen each year seemingly having no detrimental effect in comparison with being on it all the time. I've decided and agreed with my oncologist that I'll do nothing until I come out the other side of my surgery (which is likely to be in April/May) - was to be changeover to implant, will now be get rid of it and go flat. I'm not in ANY doubt about that decision. I'll meet with oncol again at the end of May and revisit whether I'm willing to consider trying Tamoxifen. Thanks so much to everyone for thoughts.

I am with you all the way @Flaneuse Quality of life seems overlooked. Like the rest of the ladies have said, try before you buy! It will certainly help in your long term decision. Good idea to wait for recovery first to get your strength up. Big hugs

Hey @Flaneuse. Different age group so I'm unhelpful there but I definitely understand your hesitation. It is unfortunate that being on these tablets does sort of put you in the perpetual patient (well for 5 to 10 years anyhow) outlook. Life is for living right? And gut instinct is not something to be ignored I believe. If it feels right for you then it probably is.Big hugs lovely lady. xoxoxox

I think, in the end, you have to go with what you can live with. It may be worth trying the Tamoxifen and seeing how you go - who knows? you could be symptom free.

Anyone OVER 73 when diagnosed, had surgery & chemo and taking Tamoxifen or refused it?

19 Replies

kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
It's all good lovely. More inclined to laugh than get upset
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Ok! Whoops I didn't mean to upset you!

Take care
kezmusc
Member
7 years ago
Yes @iserbrown I have read it several times. Hmmmmmm.........probably best leave it at that LOL.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
@kezmusc - have you read the Hormone therapy booklet? See comment above
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
Have read it now. Some interesting perspectives I'd not encountered before - particularly the idea of a pattern of taking three months off from Tamoxifen each year seemingly having no detrimental effect in comparison with being on it all the time. I've decided and agreed with my oncologist that I'll do nothing until I come out the other side of my surgery (which is likely to be in April/May) - was to be changeover to implant, will now be get rid of it and go flat. I'm not in ANY doubt about that decision. I'll meet with oncol again at the end of May and revisit whether I'm willing to consider trying Tamoxifen.

Thanks so much to everyone for thoughts.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Thanks @Giovanna_BCNA
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
@Giovanna_BCNA Thanks so much.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
https://www.bcna.org.au/understanding-breast-cancer/treatment/hormone-therapy/

It's on the website
Click within above and you should find it
Giovanna_BCNA
Member
7 years ago
Hello @Flaneuse
See link below to booklet mentioned by @iserbrown
https://www.bcna.org.au/media/5850/hormone-therapy-and-breast-cancer-booklet-112017.pdf
cheers
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
@iserbrown Is it in the My Journey kit? or on this website?