Forum Discussion

Riana's avatar
Riana
Member
14 years ago

Tamoxifen

Hi there, I have had a left breast mastectomy on the 9th of August 2011. Two tumors, 8 mm and 10 mm, as well as a 4 mm area of DCIS was removed. Luckaly both tumors where Grade 1. There was no limfnode involvement, 7 was removed. I chose to have a mastectomy, rather than just to remove the tumor area, as this meant I would not need to have radiotherapy after the surgery. Because there was no limfnode involvement, chemotherapy was not recommended. What a releave! Tamoxifen however is indicated as the tumors are receptor positive for estrogen and progesterone. Reading about the side effects of tamoxifen has really scared me! I am only seeing the oncologist on the 29th of September, but I am really thinking of declining the Tamosifen treatment.

Any commends, recommendations, or opinions on this will be appreciated.

Thanks!

dcis
tamoxifen
  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Riana

    I started taking tamoxifen in March and have had no bad side effects except for the hot flushes and sweating. I had chemo and radiation after my mastectomy but I had a grade 3, 49mm tumour which is very different to you so there was no question of me not having to take tamoxifen. The oncologists have a calculation where they can work what your risk is in percent so ask when you see them. One of my breast cancer buddies didn't take any  anti-hormone therapy as it would only be a 2% improvement. I have just started taking a very low dose of Efixxor for the hot flushes and it seems to have helped am only into my 3rd week but am sleeping much better and the bedclothes are staying on the bed a lot more now! much to my husband's delight. it's a small price to pay to survive!

    Good luck with your decision.

    Sarah x

  • Sarah_51's avatar
    Sarah_51
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Riana

    I started taking tamoxifen in March and have had no bad side effects except for the hot flushes and sweating. I had chemo and radiation after my mastectomy but I had a grade 3, 49mm tumour which is very different to you so there was no question of me not having to take tamoxifen. The oncologists have a calculation where they can work what your risk is in percent so ask when you see them. One of my breast cancer buddies didn't take any  anti-hormone therapy as it would only be a 2% improvement. I have just started taking a very low dose of Efixxor for the hot flushes and it seems to have helped am only into my 3rd week but am sleeping much better and the bedclothes are staying on the bed a lot more now! much to my husband's delight. it's a small price to pay to survive!

    Good luck with your decision.

    Sarah x

  • retta's avatar
    retta
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Riana,

      I have also had an 8mm tumor with 2mm DCIS around that. I have had a lumpectomy with lymp node removed on the 19th August 2011.

    I am starting 5 weeks of radiotheraphy on Monday then followed by tamoxifen.

    Not looking forward to it and the side effects.

    Would also like some advice on how to manage the side effects of the treatments.

    loretta

  • retta's avatar
    retta
    Member
    14 years ago

    Hi Riana,

      I have also had an 8mm tumor with 2mm DCIS around that. I have had a lumpectomy with lymp node removed on the 19th August 2011.

    I am starting 5 weeks of radiotheraphy on Monday then followed by tamoxifen.

    Not looking forward to it and the side effects.

    Would also like some advice on how to manage the side effects of the treatments.

    loretta