Chemically induced menopause, or have ovaries removed

Equestrian4Life
Equestrian4Life Member Posts: 5
edited June 2014 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Hi all, I hopefully posted last month on a thread about Tamoxifen to ask about treatments following Tamoxifen. Apparently, I had some secret wish to be done with it all at the end of five years (which I've just completed). Today was my 5 year onc. visit and, talk about jumping from the frying pan into the fire! I've always understood I'm at high risk for recurrence--diagnosed at 42, invasive ductal and lobular, 4 cm. Lymph nodes were N negative, I positive (still not clear on what that means). Anyway, they threw the big guns at me, I had a bilateral mastectomy, and started Tamox after treatments. I am pre-menopausal. Still, I am overwhelmed that my doctor wants to put me in menopause so I can take letrozole. And disappointed that I'll still have hot flashes, struggle with my weight, phsychologically the battle continues, blah blah blah, not to mention the relationship aspects. I keep telling myself I'm darn lucky to be here, and this will help me achieve my goal of goofing off with the grandkids when I'm 80, and all of the other logical and sane things. Basically just trying to come to terms with this. Any comments or thoughts? I don't think I would jump up and down to have my ovaries removed just yet--but the shots are a possibility. What's been your experience? I wonder how common this is? Thanks for any feedback.

· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • besa
    besa Member Posts: 1,088
    edited July 2012

    You should have been given hard numbers concerning the probability of distal recurrence and long term surval.  What will switching to an AI now gain you in terms of long term survival?  Having these numbers should make the decision easier and this information is available.    If you haven't been given these numbers I would specifically ask your MO for them.     (Since you have had bilateral mastectomy the possibility of having another primary breast cancer should be greatly reduced since most breast tissue has been removed. ) These are personal choices - is the risk reduction worth the possible side effects of the drugs. For me, to make the decision, I would want hard numbers - not just someone telling me I am "high risk."   (For example are we talking about a say 2% gain or a 20% gain with AIs for 5 more years?)  Also I would consider my family medical history - for example  severe osteoperosis.  In addition if it was me - and I did decide to take an AI, I would personally choose the shots.  In that case  if the side effects of the chemically induced menopause were too much I would have the option of just stopping the shots.  With surgery it is a done deal.  ....  Just my feelings about the situation. 

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories