opionions needed ,thanks

zandersgirl

Hi everyone I'm a newbie, so be patient with me. I'm lucky (if anyone with cancer is lucky, you know???) that my cancer, IDC and dis was caught very early. I chose a bilateral mastectomy, partly because I had dx of ductal hyperplasia before and I just wanted to lower my risk or recurrence or more cancer a.also(and I hope this doesn't sound so bad) reconstruction seems to look better when they do both. To me that was a win-win

Yesterday I saw the oncologist for the first time, thank God I liked him, he loved that I was informed he listened and gave answers not orders. He would suggest that I take tamoxifen, but also said  that  its really wasn't  a big risk. I'm very vigilant about my health and never let things slide. He also said something to the effect I'm it category one or two(not quite sure how he said this) but basically it meant that there Is no medical evidence to support that it is beneficial... but he recommends it.

He seems to be very respectful of peoples choices, and I did ask him for his honest opinion. Telling him I don't want to do tamoxifen, but I also don't want to risk my health. (knowing that there is never a zero percent risk!) he honestly seemed ok with it.  my cancer was er+,pr+ her-. Turned out there was NO other cancer found, so they basically got it all on the biopsy, so that means very small, doc said meant probe less than.5cm.  I just dont see how its that necessary in my case

Would appreciate any thoughts. I will try and be any help if I can as I dig into these boards. Well at least as soon as I get over this cold :-)

.

Edited by Mods, only for formatting

farmerlucy

I too had a Bmx for ALH and ADH and an IDC was found though mine was 1.1cm . Protocol is that anything under .5 onc should suggest tamoxifen. You might ask for an oncotype dx test and use that to help in your decision. I saw a study from 2007?? that looked at 50 women who did not take tamoxifen and had invasive tumors under 1 cm. 49 did not have a recurrence. Best of luck! Glad you were proactive!

zandersgirl

He ordered a bunch of blood work, I don't remember if he ordered the oncotype for sure. I was so excited to get my drains out (thought the plastic surgeon would say was still draining bit too much) and was long day so..... was kinda brain fried

 

Thanks for info