Thoughts on Tamoxifen

Hi stephaniegee,

My situation is similar than yours. I'm 31 was diagnosed in June with invasive Ductal carcinoma with at least one lymph node involved. The lymph node was noticed on the ultrasound and therefore biopsied. The biopsy tissue was also tested for the receptors and I'm triple positive. I also had the genetic testing done and I don't have a mutation of the genes but I do have a variance in the BCRA2. That variance appears to be insignificant based on the current research. We were planning on extending our family when all of this appended, we already have a daughter who is about to turn three.

My course or treatment is slightly different than yours. I had chemo prior to surgery in part to increase the success of a lumpectomy, in part because of the lymph node involvement. I had six FEC-D treatments and Herceptin (for HER2) added on to my last two chemo and continuing for almost a year. I had surgery on December 2 and looks like I'll be starting radiation in the new year. I'm waiting on the pathology reports to finalize the radiation treatment plan. Then the plan is to start on Tamoxifen.

I too and questioning tamoxifen. I'm concerned about the side effects of it and of course the fact that the recommended course is five years thus limiting having more kids. I still want to have a good discussion with my oncologist about tamoxifen before starting but the peer-reviewed research appears convincing. There also appears to be a greater benefit for the first few years that you are on the drug, the benefits decrease over time. Again that is something I want to discuss further.

That being said, I will most likely start tamoxifen but on my terms, meaning that I will come off of it when I want to while taking expert opinion in consideration. I've followed the treatment plan that was recommended to me to date but I'm of the opinion that I have the right it refuse any treatment at any time. If I refuse treatment, then I take responsibility for what may happen as a result.

I don't think you are being too conservative, I think you are looking into what option will make you the most comfortable. At the end of the day you, and to some degree, your husband have to be comfortable with the decisions you make. Only you know what is the right decision for you.

Hope this helps and that chemo is not too hard on you.

From reading these boards, I've seen that many young women like yourselves do 2-3 years of tamoxifen, then take a break to have children.  Usually, this is OKed by their Oncologists. If yours doesn't agree, get a 2nd opinion! The whole reason for surviving breast cancer is so that you can continue on to have a life, and this is a huge part of life!  Fear of breast cancer should not have to limit all your future life choices. And pregnancy actually reduces the risk of BC. There is a forum on here for women who are in this exact situation.  Just do a search for "coming off tamoxifen early to have a baby" and good luck to both of you!