Went to see Onc today, as previously posted had a period for the first time in 2 years. Am now 42 and was on Letrozole. Onc has given me Tamoxifen and the choice of staying on this or having my Ovaries taken out and staying on Letrozole.
Can’t make up my mind. Have been referred to gynac which will take about 4-6wks so will be able to ask all about what is involved in the op etc.
What worries me about Tamoxifen is the side effects etc risk of blood clots, increase in risk of cancer of the womb. Go back to see Onc in 2 weeks so will ask about the % of risks etc.
Would welcome any comments from anyone who has had similar choices to make and what helped to make the decision.
Thanks for listening.
Elaine T
Elaine T
I have psoted this under younger woment but thought it may help you to
I am 42 and was dx with bc on the 19 December 2007, had lumpectomy 10 January 2008, further surgery for shaving 21 February 2008, bc was grade 2 ER+ and no nodes involved, was told that I would need chemo and radiotherapy along with 5 years on tamoxifen.
I went to my first oncologist appointment were he offered me the choice of chemo or my ovaries removed, I jumped at the chance of having my ovaries removed so on the 6 March 2008 just 12 days ago I had my ovaries and tubes removed but have kept my womb as the consultant said that there was no need to remove this, I was in some pain for a few days but am feeling much better today, I have had hot flushes witch get worse at night but I have had these for some time as I was given Zoladex whilst waiting for my ovaries to be removed, I have to say that having Zoladex was not a nice experience and like Anne has said I could not wait to have my ovaries out and do not regret the decision I made. I will be on tamoxifen for 5 years. I will be starting radiotherapy soon which will be the last part of my treatment.
If you have any questions just ask.
Debra xx
Hi Elaine
I too asked my OC if i could have my ovaries removed as Tamoxifen scares me like you with all the side effects. She firmly told me no, the only way this could or would happen is of i had extreme side effects as it could give a higher risk of developing osteoporosis. I was gutted because it seems so many ppl get this op and the thought of never taking Tamo again is brill.
Allison x
Allison - I think you still take Tamoxifen even though you’ve had your ovaries out. I’m having mine removed and was told I’ll then spend two years on Tamoxifen then three years on an Aromatase Inhibitor. I know it’s different for everyone but I think they are still putting me on Tamoxifen because oestrogen is produced elsewhere in the body after menopause, it doesn’t just come from the ovaries. I’m 36 so I assume that they aren’t going straight to an AI because Tamoxifen strengthens your bones. I’m not quite sure about it all though so I have an appointment soon to ask all these questions.
ERM a word of caution, Im 35 and all planned for a full hysterectomy with ovaries removed on advice from oncologist but i will still have to have tamoxifen due to ostregen in other body cells!!! sorry only read through above one just now, i think you need to be positive when speaking things through with your oncologist, and express your concerns forcefully, I have also told them i want a bone density scan done now and periodically for the rest of my life, and when i told my gp this he congratulated me of being proactive.
Good luck anyway Anna
Hi there!
I just wanted to add something here, when I was considering whether or not to take Tamoxifen, I spoke at length with my surgeon about it, my greatest fear was the risk of the Tamoxifen causing cancer of the womb, I figured I could handle the majority of other side effects, other than the blood clots which he said was only a risk really on long haul flights!? Anyhoo, I have been promised yearly pelvic scans, just to reassure me that all is well. This helped me to decide to start taking Tamoxifen, I did however think that once I’d been taking them for a while, if the Menopausal symptoms were bad I would go for Ovarian Oblation, luckily and fingers crossed, the side effects for me have been mild so far. I have no desire to crash head first into the Menopause!! With Tamoxifen you can maybe experience side effects, with your ovaries removed I think it’s guaranteed!
Good luck with your treatment.
Warm hugs,
Sara. x
Hi
I am on Tamoxifen following bilateral mastectomies and reconstruction 3 years ago. However, I had a total abdominal hysterectomy last July with removal of ovaries, due to fibroid problems etc. Yet I am still taking Tamoxifen. The Breast Cancer staff at my hospital say I should still take that. Also on top of that I have a blood clotting condition called Factor V Leiden, which I only found out by accident just a few months before my BC was diagnosed. I’ve seen a Consultant Haematologist about my Factor V and they know I am on Tamoxifen, and yet they don’t stop me taking it. I can’t take any HRT or anything to help with the lack of oestrogen, so I find it odd that I should still have to take an oestrogen blocker when the amount of oestrogen in my body will be minimal, (any less and I will be growing a beard) if that makes sense. I think they are trying to deal with what they see as the main problem being the breast cancer, but I would welcome any comments.
Julie
Nicola
Thanks for that i didnt know that you still had to take Tamoxifen. Mmmm have alot to think about then i guess!!
When i see my Onc she is so unapproachable i kind off clam up when i see her.
Take Care
Allison xx
Hi there
Just to say that 4yrs ago I was in the same place as you but my specialist suggested to have radiotherapy on my overies which I agreed to
I gad 5 little zaps and apart from a real bad tummy for 3 days ( do not leave the loo) it was all ok and I would suggest it to everyone
I was 48 at the time
Think about it and ask your DR
If you need any further details just let me know OK
lUV Jane
Hi
I had my ovaries out after a recurrence in '05 (after initial dx in 03) and put on zoladex then requested ovary removal in jan 06 ( i was 32) as i too was getting annoyed with zoladex injections - they dont hurt but its annoyin to have to keep goin back to the docs every month - ovary removal was the best decision ever, i deeply regret not having kids but the plus size is no periods!!! yey!!! 
… anyway after reading this thread i wonder if perhaps they made a boob with me as after ovary removal i was told i didnt need any hormone drug so had nothing for 2 years then in april 07 another recurrence in my original scar and then nov 07 another recurrence one tumour in each lung and one in my spine! 
i wonder if i shouldv been put back on tamoxifen?altho i recall them sayin tamoxifen had failed???.. or even put on arimedex? after ovary removal? which may have stopped my now current situation??? …however i do remember i did seek a second opinion with the marsden and they i think confirmed i didnt need any drugs after my second dx in 05 as their theory is like my onc is that you treat the cancer when it rears its ugly head and you then have somethin new to tackle it with - hence after my diagnosis in nov i was given arimedex…altho lookin back what about when i had it in april last year i wonder y i wasnt given it then???
enough of my ramble…just annoyed me that perhaps i wouldn be where i am if i had had tamoxifen or arimedex sooner!!!
Rachel
ps. my latest tumours are all stable thanks to arimedex and radio to my spine - get next check up in july but generally feel great and still working full time and living life as normal!