Clear mastectomy results..Now undecided about hormonal treatment

Perfectly put. Well done.

Never limit your reading when it comes to your health. Use all legitimate sites and don't feel you must limit your research to any particular site.  I found plenty of legitimate sites which gave me invaluable information I failed to find elsewhere.  For example: http://www.breastcancer.org/

Good luck.... this is your journey and you need to feel empowered.  Knowledge is power!

Hi Cavemouse - I was also clear, with a low risk cancer that the oncologist said was "most likely cured" through the mastectomy. I've had a dreadful menopause, had to stop taking HRT because of the BC and chose to consult a medical herbalist with a PhD in herbs. She's had breast cancer, has been clear for 5 years + and has me on a 'cocktail' of herbal treatments. It's expensive, but it's got the menopause hot flushes under control and there is evidence from limited studies that what I'm taking is anti cancer. I won't take Tamoxifen because of the side effects, and I can't take aromatase inhibitors because I have bad arthritis and prolapsed discs. I'm 2.5 years post BC. I'm comfortable with my decision, although I agonised for months, because I figure there are no guarantees with any of the treatments. If my cancer had not been low risk, I'd probably have made a different decision. Either way, it's a really tough call, and I sympathise with where you're at. Best of luck with your decision. Pam 

The girls are all right, ensure you read everything you can and then make your decision, but you have to be comfortable with it, you make the final decision and are responsible for whatever comes after, but as long as you are the one happy and at peace with yourself you know it's right for you. 

Hi Cavemouse,

We have a section on the website about hormone therapy.  We also have a booklet, Hormone Therapy and Breast Cancer, which talks about the different types of hormone treatments, the benefits of hormone therapies as well as common side effects, and tips / strategies which may help to manage some of the side effects.   

Here's the link to the booklet: https://www.bcna.org.au/media/2613/bcna-hormone-booklet.pdf

Ann-Marie x

Hi Cavemouse

All of us have weighed up our treatment options based on odds and percentages but the fact is, there is no guarantees! We all make the decision that is best for us at the time and whether it is right or not, who knows? As long as you make an educated decision, there is no more than that that you can do. It's up to you and you only. All the best for what ever decision you make. Karen xox

Hello - I was supposed to start arimidex after my treatment - did as much research as I could - asked lots of questions - there is no ONE answer.   It's all a numbers game - 2% here, 1% there......I have decided not to take the medication - seems to be too many side affects to deal with - I don't want to be taking another dozen medications to counteract the side affects of the arimidex - prefer to try living a healthy and energetic life.  Sometimes I get scared and wonder if I have done the right thing - who knows.  I am relying on the fact that I am being monitored for any recurrences of the nasty devil - so will have to deal with it if it happens.  I agree with you about the russian roulette.  Good luck with your decision and happy to talk further with you about it. RosG

Read all you can- through BCNA so you know it is legitimate scientific reporting.

At one of the BCNA conferences 800 of us attended, the guest oncologist - asked how many women were asked to take hormonal treatment- 99% put their hands up;

then he asked how many had stopped taking it- 50% hands up,

then how many stopped it and did not tell their medical team? 45% hands up,

so do talk it over with your team/specialist. The results over many years for Tamoxifen are referred to as the single most likely contributor to long life post op- and that is why the survivorship rates are so high.

I took Tamoxifen for 5 years, (2004 commencement- experienced hot flushes , dry vagina and moodiness) then was tried on Armidex- had bone pains +++, then another but had muscle pain that made me feel like I had the worst flu imagineable, so in hindsight agreed to take Tamoxifen and am still here.

It is a very personal choice, dont be pressured, but be aware of the statistics and whatever you decide, best of luck! XMandy

This is something you need to think long and hard about and weigh up your pros and cons. Your medical team will insist you take them. You need to do as much research as possible (read only latest medical journals) and talk to as many medical professionals as possible, particularly about the things that most concern you.  

For me, I tried tamoxifen and all aromatose inhibitors but side effects diminished my quality of life.  I suffered vaginal atrophy, bloating and weight gain, digestive issues, lethargy, serious depression, painful bones and muscles, wild mood swings and quite frankly lunacy. Had I continued I would have certainly lost my husband and my family. I made the decision to instead, return to health and live as healthy a life as possible but live in fear of mastastises and have at times struggled with this decision but am at peace with it now.  But, at the end of the day, if I do get secondary bc then how do I know I wouldn't have got it anyway? I have been cancer free for 3 years.

Some women are fortunate enough to have few side effects or over time their side effects diminish and would certainly encourage all women to try and persist with them first. You might be one of the lucky ones whose system can take them.  Good luck...