are side effects of Tamoxifen worth it?

I met w/an Oncologist yesterday.  I was diagnosed w/DCIS, had a masectomy & had some lymph nodes tested, which were negative.  The oncologist offered nothing else but Tamoxifen (I'm pre-menapausal, 37 yrs old).  I know this drug is great for breast cancer, but at the same time, may cause uterine cancer (plus a host of other side effects).  What I want to know is, what is the % of me actually getting uterine cancer and what is the % of me having a reoccurance, or the % of me getting cancer in my right breast (which, right now is absolutely clear).  I want to make sure the benefits outweigh the risks.

My concern is being on Tamoxifen for 5 years, the more time on, the more suseptible of horrific side effects is how I feel.  Do I have the option of just getting chemo treatments - don't get me wrong, I know chemo is extremly difficult to go through & it also has side effects.  But I think all of chemo's side effects are temporary, it would not potentially cause another cancer.

Please help.

[lhughes]

Well, some chemo's can cause other types of cancer and other medical issues, some of which are not temporary.  No chemo is without risk somehow... I have minor heart valve damage from one of them.  Tamoxifen, although not my favorite drug, is a good drug.  I'm just a few yrs older than you, and started Tamoxifen when I was your age...

This is my opinion.... take the tamoxifen to protect the other breast.  The side-effects aren't great, mine were awful to start but have since then settled down.  I'm having an endometrial biopsy performed in July to check out the potential for cancer there.  My OB says that usually the 2 yr mark is a good time just to check and see how things are going elsewhere with the Tamoxifen.  I trust that all my docs know what they are doing and are keeping a really good eye out for any problems.

Can't talk on the percentages of recurrance or of anything happening.  Sorry.  You could opt out of the tamoxifen, I imagine...but would you want to risk anything happening because you did opt out?

Good luck to you, talk back with your onc and make sure you understand your risks on this one.  

[JenKris]

We have spoken in the past, and once again you have made me feel better.  I do have a call into my Oncologist.  I guess I really have no choice but to take the Tamoxifen.

I hope all goes well for you in July.

Just as a side note, when I was diagnosed back in Feb., Drs & nurses constantly told me, this DCIS was a stage -0-, most treatable, ya da ya da ya da w/all that Ive been through & still A LOT longer to go I cannot even imagine how it is to have a "real cancer".  Sorry, just venting, but they seem so non chalant about everything, and yes I know it can be 100 times worse, but it still SUCKS!!

Ok, feel better now :)

[lhughes]

Hey, vent...yep it sucks.  My mom had DCIS, stage 0, full mastectomy, failed tram reconstruction....and 5 years tamoxifen.  However, she NEVER had a minutes trouble with tamoxifen.  Me?  Mood swings and hot flashes galore...much better now.  Whew.

Yep, it sucks whichever way you go..... and technically you have "real cancer"...just very itsy bitsy tee-niny cancer.  Lucky you!  Still sucks!  :)

And if you do start Tamoxifen, make sure your OB knows and does the check around yr 2, just in case.  Wouldn't want anything ELSE to happen, would we?!  

You take care, I'll be here...and still rooting for the Tamoxifen...join me...come to the other side.... (snearingly!)....have a hot flash...mood swing....painful joints (some women)....

Vent anytime.

[JenKris]

Ok, Ok, no more procrastination, I'm going to fill the perscription today.  I'm a moody bi%^&tch to begin with, geez I hope my marriage can survive it!

Let ya know how I feel in a few days & yes from now on, I will be very diligent with my Gyno visits along w/all of my other Dr's visits.

Take care & thanks.

[lhughes]

Welcome to the dark side, obi-wan....

Yes, your marriage will survive, mine has, so far!  :)  Remind your husband that sometimes it's the Tamoxifen and not you.

If you DO have side-effects, then hopefully, like me, they will subside after a bit.  Let's hope you go the way of my mom and never know you are on the drug!