Tamoxifin and invasive DCIS

I am 79 and was diagnosed with DCIS, with an 2.5mm invasive Tumor..Grade l
.The oncologist wants me to be on Tamoxifin (tamoxifen) before my radiation which is in 6weeks. I have taken it for two days, and am not feeling that great and am considering going off it until after my Radiation...I thought that I would just have to  have Radiation, with no therapy even though my Estrogen Receptor was positive.
My question is, because of my age is it absolutely necessary for me to be on Tamoxifin (tamoxifen)? I have never been able to handle drugs.

Thanks.

Boffie


This discussion is related to DCIS associated with invasive componet verse pure DCIS .

[bluebutterfly2222]

I am sorry you are having to deal with this disease at your age, but since people are living so much longer, it is important to receive adequate treatment for your invasive breast cancer.

Although they can cause unpleasant side effects, tamoxifen and the aromatase inhibitors can reduce the chance of recurrence by as much as 50%.

It is of course your decision, but please discuss the subject thoroughly with you oncologist before rejecting a very effective treatment.

Best wishes...

[katarina777]

I understand how, and what you are feeling, Boffie, and also agree with bb that you need to have a discussion around this not only with your doctor perhaps, but also other professionals and even people who have experience taking the drug.

I can understand that quality of life is really important to you, and I am not sure that I would take tamoxifen if I were in your shoes.

From my experience having been on the drug though, I would give it a little more time, as with me some if the really disagreeable symptoms dissapeared, or gaot better, after the first week. (During that week I felt extremely lethargic and depressed) but as said, it got better.

But other problems came up and caused some major illness before those symptoms vanished once again, and I was fully able to tolerate the drug.

I think you are really asking a valid question and one your oncologist may, or may not be able to understand on the deep level it is negatively affecting many women's lives.

When I stopped though, I did have a recurrance, although I cannot be entirely sure there was a relationship. My cancer  also was very agressive, and sometimes with advanced age, these tumors do become more slow growing.

The Aromatase inhibitors were even worse for me and I did feel unable to tolerate the side effects in my life, and I was sure of that.

In summary, I would give it until you start radiation so at least until then you have some protection. Oh, and in my experience it does not help to reduce the dose, and which I think many of us are at some point considering doing?

Just my two cents, and to support you in the your feeling badly indeed probably being due to the Tamoxifen, and not your imagination. You may not tolerate drugs well, bit then even those of us who do fine generally with drugs have real problems with those esprigen antagonists.

All the best, Katrin

[bluebutterfly2222]

Some additional info:

I just came across a study which suggests older women with Stage I BC can skip radiation, but should take tamoxifen:

http://www.canada.com/health/Older+patients+skip+breast+radiation+study/3057138/story.html