Risk Reduction Treatment for LCIS dx

I am not taking anything, tried tamoxifen but it just wasn't something I wanted to take and my oncologist couldn't really tell me it was going to help or not help. I had my ovaries removed to cut down on the estrogen and am considering a AI in the near future, then again maybe not. I want to feel good, I feel like I have given or had taken enough. Hard choice but least it is ours.

best to you.

Hi Eileen- was DX with LCIS after a stereotactic biopsy, they told me to wait and see or have it taken out. Turned into a lumpectomy I had LCIS, DCIS with a 2 mm. tumor of ILC. Scares me everyday that there could be more. They removed a area the size of a golf ball and it had all 3 things, margins clear but ILC is sneaky. It was a year in January, since then I have made the decision to do DIEP surgery in May. I don't want to look over my shoulder waiting or wondering at each mammo (which I don't trust) is this the time. That's just me, took me a year to make this decision. I also didn't want to take a drug daily that messed with my quality of life, I want to feel good. Removing my ovaries was a big step, I felt by doing so I stopped feeding the cancer. I hope that you make the choices that are right for you, if like me they sometimes change. My BS at the time said before he knew it was ILC, that it was an old woman cancer and I would be fine, wrong.. I wasn't fine and it is not an old woman cancer. Best to you Eileen

eileen---"my oncologist explanation was to wait and see if I really need to be on this drug". I am curious, why is she hesitating and just what is she "waiting" to see? if you develop invasive bc?  LCIS is a condition known for high risk for future invasive bc; and tamoxifen and evista  are both known to reduce that risk. (tamox 45-50%; evista about 38%).  I was diagnosed with LCIS over 10 years ago (and my risk is further elevated by my mom's ILC, so I have an added reason to take preventative meds); I took tamox for 5 years and now have been taking evista for over 4 years. I have some SEs, but overall I tolerate both meds well. I rather take the very low risk of serious SEs (<1%) than my high risk of invasive bc. (estimated to be around 35% by my doctors). It's definitely a personal decision and not one made lightly. But a 2nd opinion can't hurt.

Anne

Just looking for your opinions because I am struggling with my decision. I was diagnosed with LCIS with necrosis, as well as ADH  in a different area. I have had a complete hysterectomy a year ago. My Dr wants me to do the watch and wait on the LCIS and up my estrogen for my menopause symptoms. The hotflash's are terrible, along with the not so pleasant other side effects of menopause. I am 35. I made peace with this decision for about a week. I have a new area that I am having pain in and very lumpy. My Dr felt it and said it may just be from one of the 3 lumpectomys, imflamation maybe and of course added that cancer does not hurt. Well my LCIS hurt and would never have been found if I had not insisted on biopsy of the area, and the area is not near the incision sites.So at this point I am feeling not as satisfied with the watch and wait and the estrogen upping. I know every one is going to say not to take any estrogen, but my Dr told me the side effects to my body so young without any estrogen could be worse than the cancer I may or may not get.  I guess I am considering switching Drs. But than I tell myself I am overreacting and he knows much more than I do. HELP!!!! 

Thank you leaf. I read other woman's post about doing everything possible to reduce the risk of invasive cancer and remember a time when I said the same thing. Than I wondered if I was pushed a bit into not doing anything. There is always that little voice in the back of my head saying I hope you don't regret this in the future. Fustrating........

Hi All,

Found out I am in the same boat, floating down a river with a lot of whitewater.  I was just diagnosed with LCIS, had my wire guided biopsy and surgical excision two days ago.  I will be seeing an oncologist soon and want support on making a sound decision.  My sister had Stage 1 DCIS in her left breast and Stage 2 invasive cancer in her right, estrogen positive.  My mom is a breast cancer survivor, too.  Both tested negative for Bracha 1.  My sister tested negative for Bracha 2 and BART?  Sorry, don't know all the terms yet.  My sister reacted poorly to Tamoxifen after her chemo and radiation treatment.  She had a hysterectomy and is now on Remadex.  I am not sure what course to take, monitoring, meds, or PBM?  I have time to think about it.  But would like a supportive community of women having gone through the same experience.