I currently have a prescription for Tamoxifen. I will start taking it the last day of my Radiation Therapy (3 more weeks!). I have every intention to give Tamoxifen a try, but if I experience any severe side affects, I will discuss it with my Oncologist. I too had DCIS, and had a double mastectomy last May. Breast cancer is not a cancer I want to toy with. I will do what my doctors recommend is best for me. I know there are pros and cons to taking additional medication, but in the end, it is YOUR choice. Weigh out your options and discuss it with your physicians. You may or may NOT experience any of the "nasty" side affects....
Do what is right for YOU!!
Best wishes....
C
I am taking tamoxifen. I had a mastectectomy for DCIS removal, which subsequestly found a tiny tumor (.5 cm) of invasive cancer. It was Her2 positive, which made it much more likely to grow and spread. I consider myself very lucky to have caught it early and the surgeon feels he got it all, but I also took chemo and am still taking Herceptin, Zometa and tamoxifen.
The only side effect that I have from the tamoxifen is hot flashes, almost always at night (1 or 2 per 24 hours.) You have been through a lot of stressful, difficult experiences. With the large benefit in reduction of your chances in developing invasive breast cancer, it might be prudent to give the drug a trial to see how you do. You may not have much in the way of side effects and well, if you can avoid what I went through with chemo, it is well worth it. I am thinking of you.
Hi,
Most studies have documented about a 50% deduction in the risk of developing invasive breast cancer for women who took tamoxifen after being dx with DCIS or AH, as well as a reduction in non-invasive cancers.
Only you can decide if that's worth the side effects you might experience from the drug.
Best wishes...