Should I even start hormone therapy at all?

Options
Sofiejo
Sofiejo Member Posts: 11
edited June 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
Should I even start hormone therapy at all?
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • Sofiejo
    Sofiejo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2014

    I am just getting ready to begin radiation therapy and I know I have time to think about hormonal therapy, but after reading posts, I am concerned about even doing this. I am post menopausal and not sure that I want to stop estrogen production completely. Any thoughts from others wrestling with this dilemma? I have visited with my oncologist and he is leaning towards an aromatose inhibitor.  My tumor was very small and had not spread to the nodes.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • corky60
    corky60 Member Posts: 726
    edited June 2014

    You don't mention your grade or stage.  Why not try an AI?  There are three.  Some women have no problems with hormonal therapy and they don't even post to the board.  Others have manageable problems and still others have unmanageable ones.  Some women try one hormonal and if it doesn't work switch to another that works for them.  Talk to your oncologist.  It's worth a try.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • wenweb
    wenweb Member Posts: 1,107
    edited June 2014

    Blakem,  I agree with corky.  It possible you will have mangeable, or no side effects.  It's worth a try if it decreases your risk of recurrence.  You also didn't mention whether you had the oncotype DX test.

    Good-luck making your decision, it's a tough one.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Sofiejo
    Sofiejo Member Posts: 11
    edited June 2014

    I had stage 1A.  I am more inclined towards Tamoxifin since it doesn't stop estrogen production completely.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • rgiuff
    rgiuff Member Posts: 1,094
    edited June 2014

    BlakeM, I feel the same way as you. I was perimenopausal at diagnosis, not liking the effects of menopausal changes on my body, but did reluctantly take tamoxifen for 3 years, just to be safe. When I decided I was done, Onc prescribed aromasin. I really did not want to take it at all, but did for 2 months. My insomnia and vaginal and skin dryness got worse and I just decided to stick with my original decision to keep whatever estrogen my body was still making as I felt deprived enough by menopause.  I would have done bioidentical replacement,  if not for the breast cancer, and now exercise regularly and eat healthier, so I feel comfortable with my reasoning. I've been 6 years now since lumpectomy and I feel that cancer is no longer in my body.

    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Categories