Anyone NOT elect to do Hormone Therapy?

I think it's important to mention that age plays a role in treatment big time. The younger you are, the more treatment you get. Younger ladies have a lot more life ahead of them and if you get cancer at a younger age, typically it is more aggressive. Also, cancer cells hide... this is why some of us do chemo. I put my birth year by my avatar because BCO give us no where to show how old we are up front. Even our profiles don't allow for just a year. Regardless, the chances of recurrence and/or mets is what we are protecting ourselves from.

There are so many variables that play into it so just because someone has the same dx information means very little. My Oncotype was 21 or 22, but when my BS check my SN, it was clear. He knew my cancer was very close to my armpit so he took a few extra nodes anyway. There was micromets in 2 of them. Because of my age at time of dx, I opted for chemo light. There is a statistic calculator out there that will tell you more about chemo and anti-hormone meds. or just chemo or just anti-hormone meds.

I will say you can try it and see. If it doesn't work for you, you go back to plan B. I am almost 4 years out, my hair is beautiful and long again, breasts look good and my quality of life rocks. I am not bragging, just letting new ladies know that life gets better and moves on.

I think so too, Trvler.

The majority of those diagnosed with bc are over age 60, so more posters are likely in that age range.

This is somewhat of a generalization, but younger patients tend to have more aggressive cancers, with faster metabolism (less weight gain, easier weight loss, higher degree of return of sexuality, thicker hair, etc.)

For those who would like to see the option of listing age added, here is a link for joining the request (I hope):

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/93/topic/826514?page=1#post_4322538

I started a thread a while back to try and get them to have our age listed front and center. There was even some argument from people about this as they thought they would have to. Nobody has to do anything with what they list, but the Mods just kind forgot about us back then in October 2013. There were lots of us that wanted the addition because when we do give advise, etc. it's pretty helpful to know if the lady is 40, 60 or 80. Big differences!

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/93/topic/795805?page=3

jilly, it was in the lymph nodes under my arm. PcR with chemo and no cancer found with the ALND.

Jilly, after my second DX I did go back and look at my reports from 2000. I discovered that I actually did have micromets back in 2000. But the SNB testing was in it's infancy so I don't really think they knew what to do about micromets. The docs thought I would be able to just have a lumpectomy but I chose a BMX. In the end that was a good choice because the DCIS was in more quadrants that they thought and I would have wound up having to have at least a MX anyway. They also did not do Her 2 testing back then, so I have no idea if I was Her2+ at first dx. Their was never any mention of chemo or rads back then either. Just a suggestion that I might want to do 5 years of tamoxifen. They didn't even follow me! And I went to a well known cancer center outside of Philly.

I found the lump under my arm. My GYN and surgeon both were shocked that it came back positive for cancer, both thought it was either scar tissue or a cyst.

I am curious. Are some people taking generic tamoxifen?

Bren...wow. It seems much progress has been made in fighting this disease but still a long way to go.

I have my first follow-up with BS Monday and hope they won't fuss when I ask for a copy of my pathology. Do they currently treat micromets with radiation? I had this strange stinging sensation in cancer breast prior to dx.. That stinging spread to my axilla so I was surprised to have a negative sentinel node.

I'm being treated in Maryland. I guess what has surprised me most is how 'mechanical' the medical profession has become. I was given no discharge instructions whatsoever. Nada. How long am I supposed to take this antibiotic? Activity restrictions? Also, I found the hospital staff to be clinically cold...indifferent. Where did the compassion go? One nurse actually said to me "you're not the only one that's gone thru this". Sigh. Ditto for the PS.

I was physically fit, non-smoker, no alcohol, normal BMI. Go figure. Never once did it ever cross my mind about breast cancer. I focused on heart disease prevention, etc..

I read on another thread that the fillers in the generic drugs can vary and simply switching from one brand to another can make a difference in side effects. I also learned that pharmacies may change the company they get the drugs and this can be a problem for some. I noted that several women found arimidex made by TEVA to be the most tolerable, so thats what I take. You can instruct your pharmacy not to change your brand.

GG, I did not think they were allowed to dump your file. I have never run into that. Even after 12 years I was able to get my records. They had been archived and kept off site, so it took a little longer, but they were still available. I am sorry that your doc did that to your records!

Bump.

Katcar - what is that for?

Carynbrit

I am with you my gut says no. I'm more concerned with the secondary cancer ovarian from the tamoxifen. Since it is hard to detect and will tend to be more aggressive. Why risk another. I stated it for several weeks before rads but stopped as nausea, headaches, fatigue. I said I would resume after radiation but I'm honestly not sure I will. We are in charge of our care. The doctors will just manage it. Healthy eating and exercise seem to be the nest defense. Good luck. Prayers for peace in your decision.