Hello,
I began menopause at the age of 44. Declined hormone treatment as it was linked to breast cancer. Ironic that 15 years later a 1 cm mass was found, luckily grade 1.
I have had my lumpectomy and am currently doing radiation. They want to give me the hormone pill to take for the next 5 years and honestly, I wonder if I should. Has anyone declined? Did the breast cancer return?
Hi @Linda Lou - first of all, a big welcome to this forum, though I’m obviously sorry you have found yourself on here. Do you know if they are suggesting Letrozole/Anastrozole or Tamoxifen as a hormone treatment? Is there a particular reason you don’t want to take it? I have been on Tamoxifen for about 5 years so would be happy to share my experience if that would help at all.
It’s a very personal decision, and your body. I would discuss the decision further with your team, ask them what percentage it might reduce your risk of recurrence, that sort of thing. If you read the forum you will probably notice that there are more negative posts about the side effects - but that is the nature of forums/chat rooms. People tend to come on if they have a problem, rather than to post a positive report. That’s not a criticism, but just something to bear in mind when you are making your decision.
Very best wishes to you. I am sure others will also be along to share their experiences. Evie xx
Hi Linda lou
its a big decision to make and it has to be yours….so I wouldn’t try to sway you one way or the other……I will just share my own experience….I had grade 0 BC dcis in 2012, o.4cm…ER+ …. Was told as it’s so small and low grade I had only a 1 to 2 % chance of recurrence and hormone treatment would be overkill……fast forward to 2018 and I had a recurrence in exactly the same place….this time a lot bigger and higher grade dcis…… I guess I was just unlucky….but that’s the thing with statistics….they are just numbers about the BC population as a whole….not about you as an individual……I’m now on letrozole….it’s not without side effects….but for me it’s doable……I am not one of life’s risk takers in any part of my life so would have always gone with the consultants recommendation……but that’s me….we are all very different……I hope you are able to make a decision that you are happy with