Is tamoxifen always necessary for stage 0?

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moskitoe
moskitoe Member Posts: 6
edited December 2016 in Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer

My 72 yo mother was recently diagnosed with DCIS, intermediate grade. She is scheduled for surgery this month followed by radiation treatments but we are dealing with some anxiety regarding the 5 years of tamoxifen the oncologist is recommending. I have researched her biopsy report using the info on this site and what I have understood is that the risk of recurrence drops to 15% with surgery and radiation. We are concerned that the tamoxifen treatment will provide little benefit but many troubling side effects. The oncologist refers to the tamoxifen treatment as a given and really minimizes any side effects from it but we remain skeptical. I am in the process of trying to get a second opinion but she would have to pay out of pocket for that so it may not happen. Is anyone in similar situation and what have you done? What kind of questions should I ask the oncologist? She is in good health for her age except for osteoporosis. Thanks.

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