Is it worth it?

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I had a mastectomy and full lymph node clearance in may. I am about to have my last chemo which will be followed by radiotherapy and then ten years of letrozole.

My bone density scan was poor and I am told that the letrozole will make it worse so I will have to take calcium and ibandronic acid. 

I’m really not keen on the idea of the hormone treatment and am trying to do a risk assessment to establish if it’s really worth it. I’d really like to know what percentage difference it makes because I’m concerned that the side effects might outweigh the benefits.

I appreciate that the health professionals really have to recommend we take it as it’s part of a proven ‘package’ of treatment, but does that mean it’s right for everyone?  I have to make a decision soon,  but my gut feeling is that I don’t want to take it. Can anyone offer any guidance?  Or is there some other way that I can get independent advice?

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High2k

 

I was found to have osteoporisis in my spine albeit that I am apparently the low end of normal, I am post menopausal, and when my oncologist saw the result of my dexa scan, which was done a month before I found out that I had bc, he changed me from letrozole as previously included on my treatment plan, to tamoxifen which is apparently kinder on the bones.  I will be having a dexa scan done every 2 years now.

 

 

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Hi, you say you don’t want to take the hormone treatment. Is this because of the bone density, or side effect issue So?  If so, as Helena says, you can have something different. I’ve just had my Dexa scan but I’m already on Letrozole and doing ok re side effects.  There is an NHS predict tool you can look at. X