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CALgirl
CALgirl Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment

I am scheduled for an excisive biopsy on the 24 of February.  They found atypical ductal hyperplasia with a core biopsy and are going back for a bigger chunk.

My understanding is that even if they don't find any cancer, they will still put me on some preventative meds like tamoxifen or raloxifene.  I heard that both can causer uterine or liver cancer.  Why would I want to take either one of these?  Isn't there a safer alternative??? 

Also they can cause blood clots and strokes.  Looking at my family history, that's more of a threat for me .... have no breast cancer  or any other cancer in my history. 

Any suggestions, anyone???

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  • lalady
    lalady Member Posts: 9
    edited February 2009

    Wow, sounds like a sledgehammer for a fly! I am assuming that you are still of childbearing years and want children. You might want to get another oppinion because tamoxifen is a nasty drug. There are other options out there. Good luck.

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  • CALgirl
    CALgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    to lalady ... like what other options?  I feel like I'm on a runaway train and I need to educate myself as best as possible to keep it under control.   CALgirl

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  • Annabella58
    Annabella58 Member Posts: 2,466
    edited February 2009

    Hi there, I know they will be better equipped to tell you more when you do get your biopsy results....they can also do some bloods to give you a better picture...a geneticist might be of help to you also in determining your risk if all this comes back as negative.

    I had no issues whatsoever with tamoxifen, don't believe all you read... most of us do just fine on it.  Not only did my periods continue right on thru it, I got more cancer after I got off of it, so it did a good job.  No other issues at all, lost weight, felt wonderful.  Your family history, weight, current health status could all weigh in as factors in these decisions going forward.  laLady is correct tho, there are many options out there, so I'd seek more opinions, but first get that biopsy then take it to an oncologist or two of them.  Also a good breast surgeon.  Sounds like you have plenty of time to investigate.

    Good luck to you.

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  • CALgirl
    CALgirl Member Posts: 5
    edited February 2009

    I have another question ... I feel ridiculous asking these questions when so many are going through so much more, but I worry nonetheless.  Before I had my core biopsy, there was not lump ... doctors could find one either, but since then I can feel a dense spot ... not really a lump more like fat string.  I worry about all the mammograms they did on that spot (about 20).  Could I now have cancer where two months ago there was only ADH?

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  • PSK07
    PSK07 Member Posts: 781
    edited February 2009

    CALgirl - chances are it is something from the biopsy. While some cancers can grow pretty fast, it is likely to be something benign.

    There are risks associated with tamoxifen, but there are also benefits.  Once you get through the excisional biopsy and you get your path report, make an appointment with an oncologist who will address your risk factors for breast cancer. ADH doesn't mean that you'll get cancer, it just means that you have an elevated risk. 

    Risks associated with tamoxifen tend to go up as you age. A yearly transvaginal ultrasound can look for changes in the uterus (endometrial cancer is a risk, but it is less than 1 in 1000). A good oncologist will go through each risk and side effect and discuss which ones are pertinent to you. What is essential for me and my risk levels (age at Dx, premenopausal, DCIS, LCIS+ALH, 1st degree relative had BC) may not be essential for you at all. 

    Many women go with watching and waiting. Alternating mammograms and MRIs - especially if it is a pre-cancerous condition. Tamoxifen will lower your risk, but by how much is best left to the oncologist.

    Good luck. I hope everything comes out clean and benign.

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  • kayakgirl
    kayakgirl Member Posts: 172
    edited February 2009

    I had atypical hyperplasia found 7 years ago and was not offered tamoxifen or any other preventive treatment. Last June I was diagnosed with 3.8 cm,ER+/PR+, Her 2 -, grade 3, lobular cancer in my right breast. My outcome may of been different if I was put on Tamoxifen.

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