Has anyone had oncologist suggest 10 years of tamoxifen?

dsj

I am about to finish five years of tamoxifen. At my last appointment with my oncologist he told me about a new study that shows ten years of tamoxifen significantly reduces recurrence and mortality in the second decade after diagnosis for women with invasive breast cancer. He emphasized that there was no comparable research on DCIS. He told me he would prescribe tamoxifen for me if I wanted it after July but that he couldn't recommend it as an established protocol. Basically it is up to me.

Main pros of tamoxifen are reduced risk of recurrence plus he said it's a good medicine for cholesterol and bone density.

Main cons are discomfort of hot flashes and risk of blood clots in legs. (I had a hysterectomy so am not at risk for uterine cancer.)

This is the first time since diagnosis that I don't really know what I should do. I knew I would have lumpectomy, radiation, and tamoxifen. My risk of recurrence is already low, but I want to be vigilant

Just wondering if anyone else has come up against the same dilemma.

MusicLover

http://www.breastcancer.org/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&term=10+years+of+tamoxifen&commit=Search

There are a bunch of links to help you if you click on the link above.

Cowgirl13

I am on Arimidex and my onc suggested a total of 10 years. I just started my second 5 years.

The studies for help with recurrence were all based on Tamixifin. Even though they weren't based on Arimidex, I want to do everything I can to prevent a recurrence.

edwards750

My ONC said no reason for me to be on Tamoxifen for 10 years. I have mixed emotions about it. To me it's an insurance policy so I would feel better taking it that long. On the other hand I won't miss the night sweats, etc. I'm not sure why some ONC recommend 10 years for early stage cancer - I'm Stage 2, Grade 1. My Oncotype score was 11. I had a lumpectomy and 33 Rads treatment. I am almost 4 years out.

I am in a group at Church and several women are still taking their respective meds 7 years later. Kind of confusing.

Diane

Annette47

I’m in my 3rd year on Tamoxifen, and my oncologist had said “5 years and then we will see”. So he obviously hasn’t ruled it out, but since he left it up to me whether to take it in the first place, I’m sure it will ultimately be my decision. The other factor is that he seems to think that I will have reached menopause by the time the 5 years are up (I will be 50 at that point) but I’m not so sure .... things are still going strong in that regard. Even if I was, I doubt I would want to switch to an AI ... osteoporosis runs in my family.