Young woman stage 1 BC debating on Tamoxifin

yosemite43 · August 2011

Hi my name is Catherine, I was diagnosed with BC in April right before my 31st birthday. Since then I have done a lumpectomy and i'm now on my 3rd week of radiation still 3 more weeks to go then i'm done...can't wait!! My doctor said that after radiation the likeliness for my cancer to return in the next 10 years is 13% and if I do tamoxifin for 3 years I will reduce it another 4% for a total of 9% it coming back. After reading a lot of different information i'm not sure if I should do tamoxifin or not. i'm a newly wed and we were planning to have a family...any thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Kyta · August 2011

Hi Catherine

I was 44 when diagnosed…definitely older than you but still too young IMO. Sorry to hear that you're going through this at such a young age. I've been on tamoxifen for 1.5 years now. My only side effects are hot flashes/night sweats….not fun, but not intolerable. I don't know if being on tamoxifen will hamper your ability to have a family? If not,maybe you might want to try it out for a bit and see how you feel?

Best of luck to you

Mich

sakura73 · August 2011

Hi Catherine

I'm a few years older than you (35 when diagnosed) and I decided not to take Tamoxifen after chemo and radiation. I was told my risk was 18% and 5 years of taking it would get me down to 12%. So, 6% reduction for 5 years, with two thirds of the risk remaining anyway. That wasn't enough reduction to make it worth while for me because I wanted to have children and as you know you can't when on Tamoxifen. So I chose to live with the slightly higher risk and to get pregnant. There is some evidence that getting pregnant and breastfeeding after BC is a protective thing to do.

I know women who have had a recurrence when on Tamoxifen; it reduces risk but does not remove it. Whether a 4% reduction is worth you deferring your family plans for 3 years is a question only you can answer. A 6% reduction wasn't enough for me.

yosemite43 · August 2011

Mich_M: I was also thinking to go on just to try it out for a little to see how the SE would be like with me. I'm very sensitive to drugs therefore i'm very reluctant to go on this toxic drug. I may want to consider more holistic approach...but right now i'm not sure what i'm going to do but thank you for your advice and support!

Sakura73: I hear you...4% reduction is that whorth my quality of life?? I don't want kids right away but i do want to know if it happens than it happens...being on tamoxifen sounds like there's so many more SE...i understand it will decrease my BC reoccurence but what if I get uterus cancer instead...so much to think about...i'm thinking maybe i'll just be extra healthy eat all organic and cut out meats and some dairy...i'll definitely think about what you say when I speak to my oncologist next about starting tamoxifen.

Did you get pregnant yet? You already have been cancer free for 2 years congrats!!

sakura73 · August 2011

Yes, I did get pregnant and I am due in 2 weeks!

There is evidence that fat loss can reduce cancer recurrnece since estrogen is stored in fat cells. So eating well and exercising can be its own benefit, with or without Tamox.

Good luck in your decision making.

naturemom · August 2011

How highly ER+ are you?? Because I am 90% positive, my oncologist said that tamoxifen would be as effective as chemo for me. I have not had any side effects -- except my leg hair stopped growing for a while. Now it grows back super slow. Not a bad side effect to have -- less shaving Also -- my periods came back while on taxoxifen. You shouldn't get pregnant while on the medication (because it is really bad for a growing baby), but it shouldn't stop you from getting pregnant afterwards.

Good luck with your decision. And congrats on almost being done with radiation!!!!

ratbait · August 2011

I've known many women who have had children after tamoxifen. Some take it for two years and then take a break to get pregnant. I've also known women who have recurred and refused tamoxifen, as well as women who have taken tamoxifen and recurred anyway.

The bottom line for me is that I didn't want to say what if. I also didn't want to worry about every single ache and pain. Tamoxifen is a lot easier than chemo or treating a recurrence.....

Just sayin'.....

Carola32 · August 2011

Hello,

I got diagnosed at 29 last year.

I've said no to Tamoxifen after doing my own research, but ALWAYS staying open to what doctors and T-advocates have to say. I'm not sure the body would be in good health on this drug, actually I'm quite positive it won't, even if you don't feel the 'ugly' side effects. There are a lot of posts on Tamoxifen in this forum, you have a search button, I'm afraid of repeating myself if I write a passionate contribution about T. Bottomline is, I would be more afraid of the side effects on T, than my cancer coming back. An endocrinologist from another hospital than my clinic (who actually called me an imbecile btw) told me to get on T for 2,5 years, get pregnant and then hop on again. Excuse me? I can just imagine what playing with hormones does to your body, I have certainly done enough damage myself in my life! Anyway, I feel very strongly about Tamoxifen, but it is a very personal choice. I feel my cancer was provoked by many factors, getting rid of these dangers (like smoking, drinking, excess fat around belly, xenoestrogens, a bad diet, not sleeping enough, lack of melatonin and vitamine D, issues with my childhood) I'm quite sure the cancer will not return. With Tamoxifen this wouldn't be possible, as it for instance agresses your liver (one side effect is fatty liver), which plays a HUGE part in the health of a human being. And, as many have pointed out; T is NOT a guarantee for zero recurrence.

Sakura, congratulations! I dream about starting a family with my husband. Reading posts like yours give me hope :-D

saffyres · August 2011

I tried Tamox for 6 weeks, but got a blood clot from it. It only gave me an additional 3% non-recurrence chance over 10 years, anyway - and it's an evil, nasty drug. IMO... Seriously - something that's supposed to "save" your life also tries to kill you. Hmmm.... Chemo was a no-go for me due to the risk/benefit analysis.

My mom, however, took Tamox for the full five years (as prescribed) and had zero problems with it.

MustangIA · August 2011

I took it for four years and then I recurred. While I didn't have many problems with it - I really think it's a crapshoot either way. Good luck with your decision.

ftd · August 2011

Just to give you a different perspective, I chose not to take it when I was Dx at 33 yrs old. (Stage 1, no nodes) I thought the risk /reward balance was not enough for me. I, unfortunately, did have a recurrence at 38 years old and then took Tamox for 3 years. I had few SEs (hot flashes, some aches/pains in my hips) but not enough to make me stop. I ended up stopping because my uterine lining was building up too high, but I finished 3 years.

If you choose not to take it, please look into alternatives for reducing estrogen in your system. Tamoxifen can be taken for a period of time, 2-3 years, and then stopped to have children. I know lots of women who have done that.

Good luck. Its a tough decision.

Young woman stage 1 BC debating on Tamoxifin

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