@wyowyld I have a similar risk level as you, although some differences in type cancer. I’m 70 and am thinking along the same lines, I want to maximize the next 10 years while I’m still *young* 🙂
My latest beliefs after reading current research is that the radiation should kill the cells it touches, but there may be wayward cells that will continue to grow. It often takes years for a cell to get to a clinically significant size, so I’m going to be extra vigilant at 5 years, and then about every three years after. The hope that it will be seen at an annual scan - but that 3 years may be when it’s grown just large enough to be viewable.
I did not take the option for AIs. I had 100% ER and 95% PR so I decided I’d try tamoxifen. For me, the AIs spelled trouble as I’d already had de Quervain’s tenosynovitis twice in my hand and plantar fasciitis in my foot mutiple times. As well as osteoporosis. I didn’t like the cut-off of estrogen in other organs that AI causes, but just like chemotherapy, if the risk is high enough the side effects might not be pleasant but its doable in order to control the cancer. The choice of taking an AI is definitely right for some of us.
Tamoxifen was a problem at 20 mg but I’m tolerating 5 mg pretty well, I think, I may even stay on beyond 5 years as I see other benefits that the estrogen-as-agonist is providing. But, because of all the scans and issues that have occurred since the cancer showed up there are some things that are now on my radar and I’d want to make sure these aren’t being made worse by tamoxifen. I regularly check new research to see if tamoxifen is driving the adrenal cysts, the mild white matter hypersensitivities in my brain, the large increase in cherry angiomas (which I don’t care how benign they say they are - it is still angiogenesis and something is pushing the growths - never a good thing).
Boy, I *talk* a lot. Sorry for the long read.
Thank you for the thoughtful response and well thought out. We have been through much of the same thought process. My ER and PR receptors are considerably lower than yours. My doctor is monitoring every six months and rotating between MRI and mammogram. If I do choose down the road to add anything, I will also add low-dose tamoxifen. The recent studies have shown it is very effective and it sounds like the recommended dosage could be changed soon. Best wishes to you!