what do you think about not taking tamoxfen?

[rosebud1909]

Early Stage 1,well differentiated infilitrative ductual carcinoma small 5x5x6mm across w/ focal cribriform features,low histologic grade,low proliferation rate, no angiloympatic invasion seen,  no fibrocystic changes, margins free, (pT1c,pNO(-)(sn)and pMX,  no lymph, ER+ 93%, PR+95%, Her2- neg8.2 Her2FSH-neg,   OncotypeDX -recurrence score-12 w/ 5years of Tamoxfen-distance 8; without tamoxfen 16.  Simple masectomy ;  w /reconstruction  and reduction of other breast; good health, non smoker, no risk factors, premen., 49 yrs old., blood test for ovarian cancer (125)  2%. Internal ultrasound of uterus neg; pap neg. I have chosen not to take the tamoxofen because of risk factors associated w/ drug. I feel w/ the masectomy instead of the Lumpectomy  was aggressive enough.  I think with these great scores and low risk factors and a reduction w/ other breast..chances are great.  What do you think? Seaching for information out there regarding patients who choose not to take tamoxfin with early stage and low risk; who choose masectomy instead of Lumpectomy. continuing vitamins, flaxseed oil, omega 3, veggies, cutting down meats etc. Flip MRI and mammo every 6 months. Excersise with normal body weight.

[SueYoung55]

I think 93% ER positive would have me taking Tamoxifen. Especially because you are premenopausal. That is exactly what Tamoxifen is made for, premenopausal women with ER positive cancers. You sound like you have your information but did you research Tamoxifen itself? If you had chosen a double mastectomy you would have reduced your risk significantly. Have you had BRCA genetic mutation testing done?

I would reconsider the Tamoxifen issue for sure. As long as your ovaries and adrenals are making estrogen you stand the risk of another primary in your remaining breast or in the breast tissue left behind (there is always some left behind) on your mastectomy breast. As unpleasant as estrogen blocker medications like Tamoxifen are, there is an extremely small risk of uterine cancer. Compared to chemo and radiation? It's a breeze!  

(mine was 90% positive so I'm already on it)

best wishes

[katarina777]

I am not in your category, rosebud 1909, but I think as long as you feel  comfortable with your decision not to do hormonal treatment, it's a reasonable and understandable choice. I think what Tamoxifen and the other drugs do more than anything is delay the reoccurrence of a cancer that will come back anyway, and not necessarily prevent it from coming back.

It sounds like your cancer has a very good chance of not coming back anyway, and Tamoxifen, and the other drugs used for post-menopausal states are really not all that fun,  or much worse, to be on re: quality of life. And then as you say, there are also risk factors.

I am more worried of having a heart attack from those aromatose inhibitors, or stroke, or whatever else, than I am of my cancer returning. (just switched from Tamoxiefen to the others) In fact, I don't think I will take them any longer and perhaps switch back to Tamoxifen. but then I am alreqady used to feeling like ****, and it sounds like you are not.

So, I support you whatever you decide to do/not do. kat