Breast Cancer Now Forum

Hi Tenby I was diagnosed in August 2017. But I am older (51 at diagnosis). I was advised that as I was peri menopausal that I would be on Tamoxifen for 10 years (or maybe switched to another AI after 5 years) plus Zoladex for 3 years. The oncologist also said that if I couldn't manage the side effects of Zoladex then she could remove my ovaries. As I can't face more surgery (I have a bad reaction to general anaesthetic) I have stuck with the injections. Michele x ... View more

Hi Sue I have always been told that a day "either side" won't make any difference. But I think it depends who you see? My last GP said "see you in a month" but my understanding is that it is due every 28 days days. Saying this my practice have just asked my hospital if they can give me the injection "three monthly" as they are short staffed! Hopefully next month will therefore be my last one. I just hope I don't get "triple" the side effects. How are you coping on Zoladex? Michele x ... View more

Hello Jodonny, I don't have the answers to all your queries but can let you know my experience. I had a lumpectomy and 3 weeks of radiotherapy in 2017. I have been on Tamoxifen (wockhardt) plus monthly zoladex injection for nearly three years. Before treatment started I had really thick hair and lots of it. At first I didn't really notice any hair loss but after a year I noticed lots of hair falling out after washing. I know we are all different but this is the routine that seems to work well for me. I wash my hair as little as possible and use Nioxin shampoo and conditioner (try Amazon, Toni and Guy or TK Maxx). I try not to use any heating elements on my hair but have it coloured as and when needed. I also use Weleda revitalising hair tonic (H&B) every day and I find this promotes hair growth. There has also been lots of discussions on the forum regarding different brands of Tamoxifen so might be worth trying a different one and see if that helps. Regards. Michele ... View more

Hi there. I don't have any answers for you but I too have rib pain. I was diagnosed Sep 2017 (lumpectomy, radiotherapy, tamoxifen plus monthly zoladex). For the last 8 months I have had rib pain. Saw my consultant who ordered a nuclear bone scan & on the back of that was ordered to have a CT scan of the thorax. I was verbally told that the scans showed trauma to my ribs (maybe radiotherapy?) and I am to be re scanned in the New Year. However, I saw my consultant last month as I wanted my results to be put in writing & he said my scans are clear! I still have the rib pain (the severity comes & goes). I have just written to the hospital asking for clarification. I hope you manage to get to the bottom of your pain. I am still unclear 8 months in & it's worrying x ... View more

Hi Wonky. I have been on Tamoxifen for two years. I didn't have chemotherapy. I have noticed my hair thinning (I am 53) and thought maybe it would do this going through the menopause? I use Nioxin shampoo & conditioner (try Amazon or TK Maxx) and find it helps a lot. Michele X  ... View more

Hello Soobee. I had two infections going through treatment. One after surgery from the drain tube and the second, just like you, two weeks after radiotherapy. My breast was very pink and hot to touch and I was prescribed antibiotics to clear it up. Try to "air" your breast as much as possible as this should help. Like someone else suggested I would try ringing the nurses this morning. The infection cleared up pretty quickly after taking antibiotics. Regards. Michele ... View more

Hi Sue. I had the same thing last year. I underwent Breast cancer treatment in 2017. My first annual mammogram was clear but when I saw the surgeon she could feel "something". She said she couldn't let me go without ordering an ultrasound scan. Luckily I was able to go back the same day and they gave me the all clear. I don't know if it was connected but I had a flu jab a few days before so maybe my body/lymph nodes were inflamed because of that? Hope everything goes well for you. Michele x ... View more

Great news Jencat. I just heard that my mammogram is clear as well. I have a follow up with the surgeon in October. I know what you mean about wanting to tell your Dad. 😢 X   ... View more

Happy BIRTHDAY Jencat 🎂 🎉 🍾 ❤️ Wishing you an extra special day.  I have lympoedema in my arm and breast and that makes my breast hard (with an orange peel effect) and in turn makes me anxious as difficult to self examine. So I am grateful that at the moment I am on Annual screening. Michele X  ... View more

Hi Jencat. I can totally relate to how you are feeling. I had my 2nd mammogram Monday and feeling very anxious. They said results in 3-4 weeks and that they will write to me but they didn't write last year. I also lost my Dad in January. I hope you can relax enough to enjoy your Birthday. Congratulations! Michele x ... View more

Hi Halfalive I have been on Tamoxifen since Dec 2017. I was fine for around a year and then I noticed a lot of hair in my towel after washing. I have tried Nioxin (try Amazon, Toni & Guy or TK Maxx). Since using Nioxin I have noticed an improvement. I try and dry my hair naturally and not to use a hair dryer/tongs. I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Sep 17 and didn't have chemo. Hope this helps. Michele x ... View more

Hi Phet i would say speak to your oncologist first. Some of these tests have strict criteria. I joined the Optima trial that uses the Prosigna test. As this was a blind trial only half the ladies get tested. With this in mind I contacted the Marsden to see how much the test would be privately. They quoted me £2000-£4000 and said I would need a referral from my oncologist. However I know, for the trial, that the test had to be done within 8 weeks of surgery. I did join the trial and my tumour was tested and the results showed that I would benefit from hormone treatment so I went straight to radiotherapy  I hope this information is of a little help to you. Michele  ... View more

Hi. I don't regret joining the trial. My oncologist said that there is evidence to suggest that early stage breast cancers respond just as well to endocrine (hormone) treatment then chemotherapy. I feel well now (except I have developed lymphodema) and back at work full time.  Have some side effects to the hormone treatment but manageable. I am happy to answer any queries regarding the trial X  ... View more

Hi. Yes it was a difficult decision to make as there are three outcomes. You don't get tested and go on to have chemo. You get tested and the results show you still need chemo. You get tested and the results show you don't need chemo. I did a lot of research and looked at the results of the prelimary trial and I hope, that by joining the trial, I am helping other ladies in the future. The Marsden already offer this test privately. Endocrine treatment is as explained. I am on Tamoxifen and monthly Zoladex injections to suppress my ovaries (I was peri menopausal). Michele  ... View more

Hi Alviilajo. I wonder if they are going to discuss the Optima trial with you? It's suitable for patients who have node involvement. I was diagnosed in Sept 2017 and joined the Optima trial. I was tested (only half of the participants get tested) and it showed that endocrine treatment would work well for me as opposed to chemotherapy so I went straight to radiotherapy. Regards. Michele  ... View more

Hi Sue. The way that it was explained to me by the oncologist is that there is strong evidence that early stage breast cancers respond well to endocrine treatment on its own. I read all the findings from the first phase and 10 year survival rates were higher for patients that had just endocrine treatment than those that had both chemotherapy and endocrine treatment. I would also like to think that I am helping ladies who are diagnosed in the future with this disease. I am well and had the all clear at my first annual mammogram. Michele  ... View more

Hi Sue. I joined the Optima Trial after being diagnosed in Sept 2017. I was grade 2 ER/PR positive HER negative and had 4 nodes affected (2 under microscope only). I did a lot of research into the trial. The cancer research website has quite a lot of information too. It's a blind trial which means only half the participants get tested. So there are three outcomes. You are tested and results show you don't need chemo. You are not tested and go on to have chemo. You are tested and the results show you still need chemo. So if you go on to have chemo you will not know if you have been tested or not. I hope this makes sense. Results took about 2 weeks and my oncologist said a short delay wouldn't affect my treatment plan. I was fortunate and tested and didn't need Chemo. If you would like any more information then let me know. Michele ... View more