Anyone decide to take continueTamoxifen for additional 5 years

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Lucybell
Lucybell Member Posts: 20
edited July 2014 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hi,

I just had my next to last visit with my Onco. I an approaching the 5 year mark and he feels  it is not necessary for me to continue the Tamoxifen for additional years. It is in his opinion that the risks out weigh the benefits in my case. I had ILC very small 5mm tumor. Grade 2 /0 nodes with DCIS and LCIS in both breasts. I haven't had problems with Tamoxien.

Curious about what others are doing or are going to do in light of the new recommendations.

Thanks.

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  • odie16
    odie16 Member Posts: 1,882
    edited July 2014

    Hi Lucybell. 

    When I discussed the recent study results with my MO, he told me that I would be on Tamoxifen for 10 years instead of 5. Apparently since I was diagnosed at the young age of 40, he recommends taking it the full 10 years to maximize my coverage/benefit from it. 

    Wishing you well,


    Karen

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  • Sunshineinky
    Sunshineinky Member Posts: 461
    edited July 2014

    Lucy I was diagnosed at 44 and my onc has already told me that I'll do 5 years of tamoxifen and 5 years of an AI.  

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  • Juliecc
    Juliecc Member Posts: 4,868
    edited July 2014

    I was diagnosed at 46.  The Onc said I would be on hormone therapy for 10 years, first Tamoxfen, and then an AI after menopause.  So far I have a few hot flashes and fatigue but I feel more secure taking my little white pill every day.

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  • snorkeler
    snorkeler Member Posts: 145
    edited July 2014

    I was diagnosed at 41 and have been on tamoxifen for about two years now. At my last appointment, I asked my onc and she said that I am low risk, so she's not sure if she will recommend the continuation of hormonal therapy after five years. She wants to watch my bone density in particular. My hips are osteopenic but they seem to be improving. I wouldn't mind staying on tamoxifen longer since I'm tolerating it well, so I'm really trying to work on my bone density in the meantime.

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  • Lucybell
    Lucybell Member Posts: 20
    edited July 2014

    Thank you everybody for sharing. I still have a little time to think about what I want to do.. I have tolerated Tamoxifen just fine and I know my Onco would let me stay on it longer if I wanted to. I'm leaning  towards a second opinion though. What could it hurt.

    Thanks again and I wish you all good health and know that you are thought of warmly.

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  • EnuffZEnuff
    EnuffZEnuff Member Posts: 5
    edited July 2014

    I have had such a rough time on the Tamoxifen and it seems like I get one side effect handled and another pops up. This August will be 3 years on it and I have asked twice to get off it and twice been persuaded to stay on.  When my Onc said research now indicates 10 years is suggested I nearly choked - the idea of doing this 7 more years is horrifying.

    That is why I am on this site to see what research shows about the benefits of staying on it for the first 5 years, let alone an additional 5.

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