23.7% and they want me to take Tamoxifen f/43

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left_and_right
left_and_right Member Posts: 2
edited October 2018 in High Risk for Breast Cancer

Not sure I understand my risk level, do I need this medication or do I have more options?

I now will get mammograms and breast mri every 6 months so checked twice a year seems like a good idea to look for issues.

What does 23.7% really mean, what should it mean to me.

as I understand the Dr's most of my risk is based on family history and ages of my relatives.

I have black spots every year they have to look closer at ... not sure if they move, no one has ever given me that detail.

advice would be awesome.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited October 2018

    What is your diagnosis that you are going to twice a year screening? Do you have a pathology report? If not, you should get and keep copies of all your mammograms and/or ultrasounds, MRIs and pathology reports.

    By 23.7%, are you talking about your estimated lifetime risk to develop breast cancer?

    It sounds like you need to discuss this further with your doctor to make an educated decision. Have you had genetic testing?

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  • SouthernCatbird
    SouthernCatbird Member Posts: 10
    edited October 2018

    I agree that you should get a copy of your ultrasounds, MRIs, and pathology reports. I know that my doctor states that the goal tamoxifen is shrink the cells and lower your risk. I would want to know exactly what they think the spots are. The test results will tell you.

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  • ktab96
    ktab96 Member Posts: 126
    edited October 2018

    Were you diagnosed with BC and worried about recurrence or have they determined you are high risk because of family history? Have you had BRACA genetic testing? Do you had tests to suggest you have a higher than normal estrogen or progesterone hormone levels? Tamoxifen is a hormone suppressant medication usually prescribed to pre-menopausal women who have been diagnosed and treated for hormone receptor positive breast cancer.

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  • left_and_right
    left_and_right Member Posts: 2
    edited October 2018

    Sorry for delay I had to figure out how to reset my password

    Answers:

    correct "estimated lifetime risk" after getting the BRACA

    no pathology report

    ultrasounds, MRIs will be done 6 months apart rest of my life per the cancer center that did the test

    first MRI is december

    last mammogram was June which got me here

    I am high risk because of family history and fibrous spots found over the years and discoloring of my breasts that they could not explain but were concerned about

    Estrogen is higher than normal last 2 years

    I'm not premenopausal so worried about rushing it since my mother took 8 years to finish menopause





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