Cancer Survivors Network

this is what i know. in some tumours the cells are receptive to either estrogen or progestorone, which we all produce. if the tumour is estrogen receptive, tamoxifen blocks it from reaching the tumour ie cancer cells, since the cancer cells are 'encouraged' by the esrogen cutting off the supply is very effective. i have read a numbe of clinical trial reports in which tamoxifen has very good results, but only if taken for five years, not two, as it was sometimes prescribed. from all the literature i have read, the benefits far outweigh the negatives of tamoxifen. i dont know yet if my tumour is er positive but i am hoping so! roll out the tamoxifen! susan

Tiger, I was reading some posts and ran across this one. Buy or borrow a tape recorder and take it with you to your appts. Doctors do not mind at all. All of my Doctors speak more precisely, more slowly and explain more fully, when they are being recorded. It really helps when you get home to listen again. I even type it up so I can read what we talked about later after the visit. Make sure you have "new batteries". My first visit, I thought I was recording and got nothing.... Your Friend, Nancy

If you are ER+, then they will give you Tamoxifin, if you are Her2neu +, the you will probably get Herceptin. Those of us poor slobs who are ER and PR neg don't have anything, except hope... On the other hand , being Her2neu pos is bad..it means the tumor tends to grow faster. So it is GOOD to be Her2neu neg! I want to know what cell grade you guys have...it will say either Elston grade 1,2,or3 or Van Nuys 1,2,3 or 4. This is not the same as staging, ie Stage 1, or Stage 4, so let me know what your cell grades are I'm just curious?