Forum Discussion

WhiteLight's avatar
WhiteLight
Member
12 months ago

Aromatase Inhibitors

Just need some help in deciding on the next step, in Feb I was diagnosed with IDC ER, PR + HER2-, & DCIS in my right breast, no lymph nodes involved. I had surgery & have just completed 15 days radiotherapy & got quite a bad burn area under my arm around the outer breast. I am using Flamigel, salt water flannels to cool & was prescribed some steroid ointment by my GP for burn area. I'm waiting to see how the next 10 days go. Then comes the next hurdle, how do I decide whether to go on hormone therapy or not. I am 73, I was on HRT right up until the diagnosis as I had osteoporosis diagnosed at 49, I have had osteoarthritis since my mid 40s & need a knee replacement, I have a family history of high cholesterol & heart disease, I have Factor V Leiden blood (sticky blood), & have 3 surgeries to remove uterine polyps. I have gastroparesis, & I take several medications already including Palexia tapentadol. I am very tearful (but only when I'm by myself), I'm having trouble sleeping, keep getting hot & cold, & by June I need to decide if I should take medication that may thin my bones & make my joints even worse, & increase my risk of heart attack or stroke. My husband can't see the problem & says just take it. My daughter says the same. 
I know I am lucky not to have needed chemo, I know I am older when cancer can be expected, I know I will have to die of something, but in my head all I can think about is why would I take a medication that will possibly make all my current problems even worse, just in case breast cancer returns. 
How do I stop cancer returning if I refuse hormone treatment?
Can anyone help with advice?
aromatase-inhibitors
hormone-therapy
  • FLClover's avatar
    FLClover
    Member
    12 months ago
    This is only my opinion, but if I was in your situation I wouldn’t take them. It sounds like your cancer was early stage, and the least aggressive type. Hormone blockers don’t always greatly decrease the chance of recurrence. For me, it was only 4% benefit and so I came off them after getting high blood pressure amongst other bad side effects. I think sometimes we have to also consider other aspects of our health that are just as important, such as heart health, and so in this instance I wouldn’t risk that. 
    It is a difficult decision though and your body, so I hope you find the right answer and are confident in it 🌸. 
  • Afraser's avatar
    Afraser
    Member
    12 months ago
    It’s understandably difficult! First of all what does your oncologist recommend, knowing your history? Would treatment with Prolia or similar medication help? Your family members want you to recover and be cancer free (as you do) but you are also thinking about quality of life. Hormonal treatment can be very effective (I took an AI for ten years after chemo!) but it’s not a guarantee. So far, nothing is. As my oncologist says, after 11 years my chance of a recurrence is greatly reduced. But a new, different cancer ? Who knows. 

    Sometimes it’s very helpful to talk to someone outside your family, a professional counsellor who can assist you in your own thinking (not telling you what to think) so that you are comfortable and clear about your decisions. Your GP can provide a referral. Most of all, you deserve better than solitary weeping and wakefulness. I was 67 when diagnosed, and made some pretty important decisions about who I was and how I wanted to be in the first 12 or 18 months after. No, I didn’t retire! But I did accept that my time was uncertain and therefore very precious, I should spend it with thought but also with pleasure. We all should but sometimes it takes a crisis! Best wishes whatever you decide.