Forum Discussion
Anyone OVER 73 when diagnosed, had surgery & chemo and taking Tamoxifen or refused it?
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...
@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).
@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.