ER/PR Neg.

[Her2nue]

15 months ago, at 46 years old, I was diagnosed with stage 3 BC that was ER and PR negative. (Treatment has been: surgery, chemo, radiation, and presently Herceptin w/Taxotere).  I understand that hormone therapy would not be recommended to help prevent a reoccurence.  But would it help prevent a new primary breast cancer?  I believe I am now post-menapausal, so wouldn't a new breast cancer most likely be ER/PR+ ?

Thank you!

[Her2nue]

Yes, it has been over a year since my last period.  I was on birth control pills and regular until the diagnosis of BC. The following month, I started chemo and periods ceased. If all goes well, my present treatment plan will be finished in November.  I'm trying to learn as much as I can now, to prepare for future decisions.  Your forum and archived Q&A's have been very informative.  Thank you.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Her2nue:  In situations such as yours, the primary goal is to focus on treating the current problem and reducing the risk of recurrence.  With this goal in mind, there is no benefit to taking tamoxifen. The trials using tamoxifen as prevention focused on postmenopausal women at high risk, not necessarily those with invasive breast cancer.  As such, I don't know that there is scientific evidence to suggest benefit in a situation of prevention following ER/PR negative breast cancer.  You may or may not be post menopausal (is it chemotherapy induced?  has it been a full year since your last period?).  Also, being post-menopausal does not guarantee that a second primary (if it were to occur) would be ER/PR positive.  This is a good question to discuss with your oncologist once your primary treatment is complete.