I’ve just finished 6 months of paclitaxel and avastin and my onc was hoping to continue with avastin and tamoxifen. However, BUPA refused to pay for avastin without paclitaxel! Now I’m just left with tamoxifen or going back on chemo. Good thing is that my breast cancer is ER+ and PR+. I’m a bit worried about how effective tamoxifen will be on its own. At the same time, I’m also worried how I’ll be able to cope for another 6 months of chemo - even with half of the dose - as my onc has suggested.
Has anyone had chemo for that long - over 6 months? Are the side effects worse? Is it as effective after 6 months?
Will tamoxifen be as effective as chemo?
I’m going to discussed this further with my onc next wed. So I welcome any comments and will take them into consideration when I see him.
Hi m1yu,
I was in a similar position to you last year. I had had 14 lots of Tax/avastin (weekly tax and fortnightly Avastin)and had a good response so my onc. wanted me just to stay on Avastin for maintenance and BUPA refused 2 days before treatment with my onc. out of the country! Anyway it was my onc. who wasn’t so keen for me to just be on Arimidex with Zoladex injections and although I dreaded the thought of more chemo after a 2 month break whilst it was sorted out I went back on tax/avastin with a 50%reduction of dose. I had another 8 sessions and then came off when I got a completely clear scan in the November. I did 22 sessions in total from March-November last year and have had 3 clear scans this year so have had a whole year without chemo despite having had secondaries diagnosed in lungs and lymphatic system 22 months ago. I remain on Arimidex and Zoladex but have been really well this year. Although it was tough and I was very upset at going back on chemo particularly as I am now on my own but I had all the chemo at home which was great and as I’ve been so well this year for me so far it was worth it. I was very tired by the end and keen to finish but still managed to keep working part-time and play badminton each week!!
I hope this helps. I had been using the cold cap for the first 14 treatments but ditched it when I went back on the tax and still didn’t lose my hair although it thinned.
Take care
Anne x