Tamoxifen or AI with ovarian suppression?

Anonymous

Tamoxifen or AI with ovarian suppression?

songbird72

Hello all. I am a 43 year old premenopausal woman who was diagnosed in November. I just had my last round of chemo on Tuesday (hooray!) and will go back to the oncologist in a month to decide what hormonal therapy to use (my tumor was 98% positive for both estrogen and progesterone).

I know the recent results from the SOFT study have shown that AI + ovarian suppression gives better results than Tamoxifen alone or Tamoxifen with OS but there are greater SE's. Anyone out there have experience or any words of advice for me? How much of a "real world" difference does it make? For example, raising my survival rate from 88% to 90% or from 88% to 92%. I also have ostopenia in my lower spine so would probably probably have to take meds for that if I did the suppression.

Thanks for the input!!

songbird72

Bump

Goodie16

Here's another thread discussing the same topic: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics...

I've seen several other ones recently too.

Goodie16

Here's a similar thread https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/78/topics...

It might be helpful to you.

MaxineO

Hi songbird. Congratulations on finishing chemo! Your situation sounds a lot like mine; I'm 43 and 'premenopausal'

After chemo, I started on just tamoxifen but my period came back. So then I was on OS + tamoxifen for about 2 years and then was switched to OS + AI, which I have been on for about 3 years.

The side effect differences between tamoxifen and the AI have been a little different for me, but I can't say one has been worse than the other. On both, I have had hot flashes and aching joints. I had leg cramps with tamoxifen. I was hoping to eliminate the OS because I think that is what is giving me the worst side effects. I think about whether that 2% makes any real difference, but my onc and I both feel like we need to be as protective as possible (of course, now I'm edging into osteopenia range).

I think the side effects depend so much on the person, so I wouldn't avoid the AI immediately. As far as the real world difference, I think that's probably a personal choice as well. Frankly, if I didn't have kids, I would probably skip the OS altogether.

Let me know if you have any questions and I will try to help!