confusion tamoxifen/ radiation

peb
peb Member Posts: 23 Member
edited March 2014 in Breast Cancer #1
I am having lumpectomy in july for stage 0 dcis. I am concerned with the side effects of taking tamoxifen. If radiation will kill all cancer cells in breast wouldn't just getting 6 months mammo be enough to keep an eye on it coming in other breast instead of taking aromatose inhibitor or tamoxifen.I am trying to get questions about this ready. Thanks

Comments

  • EveningStar2
    EveningStar2 Member Posts: 491 Member
    #2
    Me too
    I also had a lumpectomy for DCIS in January. I had 33 rads and am now on Tamoxifen. The rads is to kill any stray cancer cells the tamoxifen is to block estrogen feeding a new tumor since we/I have made one that was ER+ once and I don't want another one. I have been taking Tamoxifen since April and I'm having a bit of trouble with temperature regulation-not just hot flashes but getting cold also-but is that the drug, the age or the weather? Beats me but it's doable.

    Maureen
  • DianeBC
    DianeBC Member Posts: 3,881 Member
    #3
    EveningStar2 said:

    Me too
    I also had a lumpectomy for DCIS in January. I had 33 rads and am now on Tamoxifen. The rads is to kill any stray cancer cells the tamoxifen is to block estrogen feeding a new tumor since we/I have made one that was ER+ once and I don't want another one. I have been taking Tamoxifen since April and I'm having a bit of trouble with temperature regulation-not just hot flashes but getting cold also-but is that the drug, the age or the weather? Beats me but it's doable.

    Maureen

    I am still doing rads, but,
    I am still doing rads, but, have been told that I should do tamoxifen. I am on the fence about it. I really don't want to, as, I just don't know if I believe it works. I have read of several women on here that took it and still had a recurrence. And, one of the se's is cancer. So, not sure.
  • Christmas Girl
    Christmas Girl Member Posts: 3,682 Member
    #4
    DianeBC said:

    I am still doing rads, but,
    I am still doing rads, but, have been told that I should do tamoxifen. I am on the fence about it. I really don't want to, as, I just don't know if I believe it works. I have read of several women on here that took it and still had a recurrence. And, one of the se's is cancer. So, not sure.

    Personal choices...
    Each and every choice we have to make along the journey involves risk. All surgery carries risk. As do both chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

    Even simple aspirin can cause side effects.

    These are very personal choices we need to make, always weighing one risk against the other.
  • TrishyG
    TrishyG Member Posts: 40
    #5
    Christmas Girl said:

    Personal choices...
    Each and every choice we have to make along the journey involves risk. All surgery carries risk. As do both chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

    Even simple aspirin can cause side effects.

    These are very personal choices we need to make, always weighing one risk against the other.

    Tamoxifan
    It was such a hard choice for me to do Tamoxifan. I really hated having hot flashes during chemo. However I have been on the drug for about 3 weeks without to many side effects. It's a hard call. I think everyone's unique body chemistry is going to react differently to the drug.

    I have been struggling with the after active treatment syndrome. I don't think anyone talks to you about the quality of life after treatment. There are so many choices to make. I just wanted someone to say yes this drug works and I will go through these side effects because it works.
  • survivorbc09
    survivorbc09 Member Posts: 4,374 Member
    #6
    TrishyG said:

    Tamoxifan
    It was such a hard choice for me to do Tamoxifan. I really hated having hot flashes during chemo. However I have been on the drug for about 3 weeks without to many side effects. It's a hard call. I think everyone's unique body chemistry is going to react differently to the drug.

    I have been struggling with the after active treatment syndrome. I don't think anyone talks to you about the quality of life after treatment. There are so many choices to make. I just wanted someone to say yes this drug works and I will go through these side effects because it works.

    I am not sure anyone can say
    I am not sure anyone can say the drug works. I have seen the recurrences on here too while taking it. I think you just have to decide for yourself. Talk to your doctor. I just want to do whatever I can to fight this.

Discussion Boards