Hormonal Therapy

GramE5
GramE5 Member Posts: 5
edited August 2015 in DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)

I recently had a lumpectomy to remove my ductal carcinoma in situ stage 0 grade 2 cancer. I had 16 treatments of radiation. I see the oncologist on Friday about Hormonal Therapy Medication.

Do you feel is in imperative that I take the medication. I would like to get your opinion before I see my oncologist. My cancer was sugar and soy fed. What are the reasons for taking the medication and what is the risk if I do not take the medication to take this medication for probably the rest of my life. I have heard it can cause side affects. I will be 70 years old next year.

Thank you in advance for any information or suggestions.

PS: I am new to this cite and didn't realize how to find topics on this board. I found some good information by searching out my topic.

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  • april485
    april485 Member Posts: 3,257
    edited August 2015

    Hi GramE5. Most people who are estrogen/progesterone positive are given anti-hormonal medication due to the fact that your cancer likes estrogen and it is estrogen fed so it could help to stave off a recurrence or more importantly, a second breast cancer. Many people opt out of the drug due to the many side effects it can cause. I would talk to the doctors about your individual risk percentage both with and without the drug and then make your decision. I had a lot of side effects from the Aromatase Inhibitor and am presently on a holiday from the drug for 3 months (My oncologist is the one who told me to do this) and we will re-evaluate whether the side effects are worth it for me.

    DCIS is generally not high on the list for "absolutely must take the drug" with most oncologists but someone with a higher stage is generally told they must take it or risk recurrence big time. It is a powerful drug so whatever you decide, I wish you the best.

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  • GramE5
    GramE5 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2015

    Hi April4/85,

    Thank you so much for responding to my post. Yes I will talk to my doctor on Friday and tell him all the reasons why I don't want to take the hormonal blocking medication. I have several members of my immediate family who have/had glaucoma, I have a high eye pressure but no nerve damage so I am not on medication now. I also been diagnosed with osteopenia. I have read posts that indicated no SE from taking the medication.

    There are reasons why I don't want to take the medication and there are some reasons I do. I guess I will sort it all out with my doctor and come up with a solution.

    Again, thank you for your post.


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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2015

    what do you mean sugar and soy fed? I've not heard that before.


    My MO said I'm taking tamoxifen not so much for this DCIS but to help reduce my risk of DCIS or IDC in my other breast. This breast will be irradiated so it's risk is low.

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  • GramE5
    GramE5 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2015

    CAMommy,

    I was told that my cancer was fed by sugar and soy. Since then, I spoke with a nutritionist and she said that studies have shown soy not to be a problem. I have never reviewed my biopsy report with a doctor. I plan to review it with the oncologist on Friday. I need more information about my condition to make a good decision about further treatment, Hormonal Therapy. That sound logical that Tamoxifen would be needed for the breast that did not receive radiation. My radiologist said that only the area in my right breast that was radiated is cancer free. I have a calcification in my breast that the radiation beam did not hit so they will watch at area every six months to make sure it has not grown or look suspicious.

    Have you been told to change your diet? If so, how???

    Former CAGrame now Michigan Grame. Lived in CA all my life - moved to Michigan last year. Thank you for responding to my post.


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  • CAMommy
    CAMommy Member Posts: 437
    edited August 2015

    nope, no diet recommendation other than to eat healthy.

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  • GramE5
    GramE5 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2015

    I saw my oncologist today and he gave me a prescription for Aromasin. I read the list of side effects and was wondering if anyone has had little or no side effects while taking the medication? Any advice you can give will be greatly appreciated.




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  • queenmomcat
    queenmomcat Member Posts: 3,039
    edited August 2015

    Did you get a chance to go over the biopsy results with the oncologist? (not to worry if you didn't! there's time for that)

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  • proudtospin
    proudtospin Member Posts: 5,972
    edited August 2015

    I am a DCIS survivor, about like you, I did the full 5 years of Aromasin

    not sure if I had side effects to be honest, dang just getting old is my complaint! I am 66 now so you may want to consider your own age in your decision

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  • GramE5
    GramE5 Member Posts: 5
    edited August 2015

    Thank you for you reply. I will be 69 in October. I agree about getting older and realize that old age is definitely not for sissies!!! I do find it is better than the alternative though. Congratulations on being a DCIS survivor.

    I guess I should give Aromasin a try. I can always stop it if the side effects are bad.


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  • ORknitter
    ORknitter Member Posts: 119
    edited August 2015

    Proudtospin, Thanks for sharing that you finished your therapy. I just finished radiation & will start Aromasin in 2 weeks. I was pleasantly surprised, actually shocked, that my skin came through 6 weeks of radiation so well (I tend to react to everything! including the drapes used for the surgery). Do you have any words of wisdom? My oncologist has suggested taking Calcium supplements but that's all.

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  • Moderators
    Moderators Member Posts: 25,912
    edited August 2015

    Dear ORKnitter,

    Welcome to the BCO Discussion Boards.

    We're glad to hear the radiation went well and that you didn't have any bad reactions.

    How are you feeling about starting Aromasin? You might like to check our our page on Aromasin which gives a brief description, a list of Benefits, Side Effects, and information on Insurance Cover.

    Keep us updated on how your getting on,

    Kind wishes,

    From the Moderators.

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  • LAstar
    LAstar Member Posts: 1,574
    edited August 2015

    I saw a naturopathic oncologist when I was diagnosed and she said that the soy issue has yet to be resolved. There is evidence that women who eat soy throughout their life have a lower breast cancer incidence. However, the women in these studies who eat soy from childhood are mostly Asian so there could be a genetic factor that that confounds the inference. Soy contains phytoestrogen which the body changes to estrogen. She recommended that I eat soy sparingly and in whole-food forms like soybeans rather than processed tofu products. Lavender and tea tree oil also contain phytoestrogen, which is a big disappointment. I try to minimize soy in my diet but was still giving my daughter tofu dogs until she developed a breast bud at 7 YO. I took soy out of her diet and it went away. 3 months later she ate another tofu dog and it immediately came back. Off-topic, but I thought it was very interesting.

    I think the influence of sugar intake on cancer is still being researched.

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  • ORknitter
    ORknitter Member Posts: 119
    edited August 2015

    Thank you for the welcome!

    To answer how I am feeling about starting Aromasin? Well, apprehensive I suppose. I certainly don't like putting chemicals into my body, but dislike the thought of cancer much more. My sister passed away from this and I always said if it came up in me that I would do all I could to treat it so this is the obvious course. My docs/nurses/radiologists have all been wonderful (husband has had heart issues starting a week before surgery and continuing until the last week of radiation! And in our case "heart trumps breast cancer" as our kids would say) so I consider myself lucky with a great support system.

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