one year left

scollins

one year left

scollins

I am 4 yrs into my tamoxifen treatment and I have one year left. I am 64 yrs old and belive me I am scared. I am thinking of having the other breast removed when the treatment is over. I am so scared of cancer showing up in the other breast. What should I do?

scollins

I am 4yrs into my tamoxifen treatment and have one year left. I am scared of cancer returning in the other breast and I am thinking of having it removed. I need some advice.

LAphoenix

If you're menopausal, you should be able to switch to one of the aromatose inhibitors (AIs--Femara, Aromasin, Arimidex), which act on the estrogen produced in your adrenal glands and in fat cells.   Tamoxifen is designed to work only on estrogen from your ovaries, which shut down after menopause.  AIs are actually more effective than tamoxifen, and you'll probably be able to take them longer than tamoxifen (up to 10 years, they think), so you shouldn't need to have surgery, I wouldn't think.  I would check with your oncologist to get more info.

Good luck! 

Amy G.

TenderIsOurMight

Ms. Scollins,



There's great news about you having stuck it out, nearing your 5 year completion point of Tamoxifen! And that is that it has a carry over effect of preventing recurrence for some 5 to 10, some even suggest 15 years after taking it for those 5 years.



I believe the carry over affects the 48% prevention of new cancer in the other breast. The prevention effect doesn't just stop. However, your oncologist should be able to guide you on this.



We understand your fear. And when that safety net is taken (Tamoxifen) it's tough going emotionally. Did your oncologist suggest stopping at 5 years on the basis of your tumor and node(s), or do you need to talk with her or him about this.



I just wanted to let you know, however you choose, good job on nearing completion of the 5 years on Tmoxifen! That is a major milestone.



All the best,

Tender

Anonymous

phoniex---actually, tamoxifen acts to block estrogen from binding with the receptors in the breast, no matter where the estrogen originates from (ovaries, adrenals, fat, skin, etc..), that's why it can be used in both pre and post menopausal situations. (I lost my ovaries and still take tamox for prevention of invasive bc). They don't know yet  what the optimal length of time is for the AIs, they haven't been studied long enough yet. They do feel that tamox has effects for  5 to 10 years, possibly 15 years after stopping.