Has anyone been diagnosed with stage one a lobular breast cancer, had

Wow, I needed to hear this. Thank you. Have 3 appointments to go until decision time. Surgeon (post-surgery consult), radiation oncologist and oncologist. We are all on our own path and your comments really hit home about risk reward. Good luck in your journey!

Hello,
Thanks for you message. I am 76 yes old now and I also was diagnosed with Stage1 ILC in right breast 2 years ago. Had lumpectomy & 5 weeks of radiation.
I’m now on Anastrozol, have been on this for 2 years now & I feel I’ve age
10 years while on this medication. My hair is thinned out and still falling, my skin is dry and more wrinkled and I’ve developed spider and varicose veins in my legs.
Like you I sometimes think of stopping this medication & just having an MRI every six months but the only thing I fear is that the cancer may metastasis in a different part of the body like the liver, brain or bones.
Kind thoughts to all

I’m thinking the oncologist question is a new thread… but wanted to address it. I’m wondering if the mistake made has to do with pathology results? It’s not a perfect science. Before I was officially declared having cancer, my doctor and I were thinking my lump was a hematoma from banging into a branch while hiking after having a clean mammoth only one month prior…. Not the case. I had to demand a follow up mammoth 4 months later….and here I am now… bilateral mastectomy and chemo on its way…

So, I just had a lumpectomy as well for stage 1 ILC (1.4 mm, ER+, PR-, HER2-). I didn't get an oncotype score yet (may not get one?) but am doing radiation for sure and then on to the AI's. If I knew it was 95% chances of NOT coming back... I might not do the AI's honestly. Those are amazing odds. Mine is grade 2 though and I am 52. I have a lot more years I want to live... at least 30 good years! So I will try my hardest with the AI's to make one of them work. Praying my symptoms won't be bad. It's such an odds game and so hard to decide. I hope they give me percentages but just because there are some ALH cells in my margins too, I'll try to get through them.

Thank you for your response and it is a hard decision! I just met with the radiology oncologist and she showed me the results of two recent studies, one with over 10k women over 65, tracked over a significant period of time. Don't quote me, but what my husband and I both understood her to say, was that without treatment, your risk of recurrence increases approximately 1% per year. SO, a 20% additional risk of recurrence 20 years out. (a lot)With radiation, in regards to this large study, the risk was 3% at the 20 year mark. (60% of the study participants did take an AI, however the 40% were treated with radiation alone and also had significant reductions.) I believe I would make the same choice as you being in your early 50's. Since I am close to 70, I consider the next ten years to be my last "hurrah" of feeling at the top of my game and being super active. I have decided to do radiation, (no AIs) and try to live the heck out of life for the next decade!!! We all have a different risk tolerance and it's a complete crap shoot unfortunately. I sincerely wish everyone the best. I appreciate all the thoughtful responses.

Hi! @cckangeroo:

I am so sorry that you have been treated so unrespectable by any physician, let alone by an oncologist that should take best care of you when you need it the most.

Could it be possible for you to find another oncologist in your area? I would if it were me; because you are going to see this person for quite a long time to fight this disease, so mutual respect and trust is essential.

We'll keep you in our thoughts and prayers, pray that you find the best doctor to help you on this journey ahead. Best wishes for more healthy days ahead!