I was diagnosed with breast cancer in March this year. Results came back DCIS tumor 8.5mm, grade 1,no node involvement and ER+. After having WLE and sentinal node biopsy i was treated with a month of radiothrepy and 20mg of Tamoxifin. Intially i was offered Zoladex, but decided to decline this due to the worry of all the side affects and risk of damage to my bones.
I am now worried that i have made the wrong descision. I went to see my onc. to express my concern but she told me she was happy with my treatment as i was already at a low risk due to the nature of my breast cancer. I am age 40 with a history of breast cancer in my family. Most people on here seem to be having Tamoxifin and Zoladex, is anyone else just being treated with Tamoxifin?
Any help will be appreciated.
Hi
I was dx a year ago-multi-focal cancer, grade 2, no lymph node involvement, ER+, mastectomy, no further treatment at all except Tamoxifen. I too worry that I should have had chemo or rads. We all seem to get different advice and therefore different treatment.
Does that help?
Love Gill x
I was 42 when I was diagnosed 5 years ago, and was only offered Tamoxifen following chemo, surgery and rads. I finish taking Tamoxifen this month, and fingers crossed, it seems to have kept the cancer at bay.
I too have a family history of breast cancer. I lost my mum to bc in 1993, and 2 aunts have had it also. One is a 40 year survivor!!
Hi Shazt
My sister in law in just on Tamoxifen following lumpectomy, chemo and radiotherapy. Was Grade II, hormone receptive and Her2+. Started Herceptin too but only had 5 infusions as it caused heart damage so she can no longer have it, so has just been taking Tamoxifen. Recently had an hysterectomy - not cancer related - fibroids so precautionary and Tamoxifen has changed to something else. She was diagnosed and started treatment in early 2006 and is doing really well. Also a neighbour of mine took tamoxifen after mast, chemo and radio, Grade III and numerous lymphnodes involved and she’s really well and 11 years on. Excellent. I also have a friend who started off on Tamoxifen but was changed to something else recently which is causing her dreadful joint probs - she’s Grade III etc etc and 5 years on. Hope this helps.
I’m on this site because I’ve got secondaries in liver and undergoing more chemo, so I find lots of support after joining the forums. I’m hormone negative but Her2 Positive and have just Herceptin (which isn’t holding my tumours stable in the liver at the moment - hence more chemo!!) but hopefully it’ll stop it going anywhere else.
Good luck with your treatment. Hope I’ve given you optimism and help.
Luv Carol
Good luck
My mum had JUST Tamox after her mast for DCIS. She was offerred rads but declined. This was her second diagnosis and had a mast 15 years earlier too. We have a strong family history, hence me having risk reducing surgery. She did not have any drastic side effects and is very well now, 4 years on.
I am just on tamoxifen after mastectomy and immed recon in July.
I am 44,Grade 1 ER+ and pre-menopausal (I think ,as I have a mirena coil which has stopped my periods) but I do wonder when I read on here of ladies having drugs to stop their ovaries,how do I know if mine are still working?
I am confused by all the alternatives to tamoxifen eg Zoladex.Do you not get them if you are pre-menopause?
Is there any way of checking Tamoxifen is working for me?
Sorry this post is no help to you Shazt ,it just asks more questions!
The reason I replied was that my ONC was absoloutly adamant that I had the coil removed, but the Mirena coil does release Progesterone and my cancer was 100% ER and 75% PR postivie so thats probably why