5 years vs 10

Angel123

I had stage 1 grade 1 breast cancer in 2011. I have been on Tamoxifen for 4 and a half years now. I can deal with the night sweats but I have developed thickening of the uterine lining and uterine polyps on more than one occasion. My oncologist is leaving it up to me as to whether or not I should continue for another 5 years. Any advice would be wonderful. I am really stressing about this.

tc9876

Hi Angel, Please don't stress about this. I've come to believe that things will work themselves out no matter what. I am at the 4 year mark and I have absolutely NO intentions of continuing past the 5 year point. Instead, I have made many chances to strengthen my body to decrease my chances of ever having BC again. I've revamped my microbiome (eating a lot of fermented foods and fiber). I eat fresh ground flax seed daily and I exercise regularly. I'm in better shape than I have ever been and I'm going to trust that over a drug. Good luck to you!

Gina2016

Findings from a large randomized clinical trial showed that taking tamoxifen for 10 years reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death more than taking tamoxifen 5 years.

Gina2016

Findings from a large randomized clinical trial showed that taking tamoxifen for 10 years reduced the risk of breast cancer recurrence and death more than taking tamoxifen 5 years [65].

Angel123

Thanks so much. I still have until January to decide for sure but I really want to make the right decision. I am going to talk with my OBGYN next month and again with the oncologist. Tc9876 I am doing so much to decrease the odds of a recurrence as well. Thank you for your advice and Gina2016 thank you as well!

coraleliz

I have been growing polyps & having them removed since starting on Tamoxifen. Only 3 months to go to get to 5years.

I was given the option of a hysterectomy which would surely stop the polyp problem. I opted not to have this done. A urologist told me that there is a 10% risk for incontinence associated with a hysterectomy.

I figure I have one more D&C/polypectomy & then I'm calling it quits(5years!). I would need the hysterectomy to continue on Tamoxifen. I'm not considering an AI. They have side effects too. My benefit for continuing past 5 years would be small.

Angel123

Thank you Coraleliz. I am considered low risk for a recurrence and have just over 5 months to go if I stop at the 5 year mark. I hear you on the polyps!