No. How can something your body makes cause cancer? Just because estrogen can cause growth doesn't mean it was the cause. If it was cancer would be more prevalent in young people.
@myoga
The article you gave is referring to estrogen pills and progestin, a synthetic hormone. The same conclusions can't be drawn for body identical (biodentical) patches, creams, gels and progesterone (not progestin).
That's why it's great that we have choices.
@myoga
The article you gave is referring to estrogen pills and progestin, a synthetic hormone. The same conclusions can't be drawn for body identical (biodentical) patches, creams, gels and progesterone (not progestin).
That's why it's great that we have choices.
Anyway the original question is not about the safety of HRT. It’s about when we should start either AIs or Tamoxifen after radiation. I started anastrozole two weeks after radiation.
I started letrozole six months before radiation. There were a lot of delays and confusion in coming up with a treatment plan. It went letrozole, lumpectomy, radiation.
I've now been on letrozole almost 3 1/2 years with no side effects and no unusual loss of bone density. Good luck to everyone!
My journey is atypical. I started taking 10mg Tamoxifen 19 months after finishing radiation after serious pressure from my oncologist as I was not going to do AIs or tamoxifen. I’m a lucky case because without the AIs was was already at 95% likely to remain cancer free so the bump for five years of AIs could get me to 97.5%. After hearing all the terrible stories of side effects, I just didn’t want to do it. (Had my numbers been different- I would not have hesitated 58 at dx, post menopause - IDC grade1, stage 1, no nodes, low oncotype). After many rounds with my oncologist I agreed to try “baby tam” - 5 mg and that was easy so we went to 10mg. With 10 I’m noticing weight gain and some joint pain. I did have headaches, but they have subsided. While there are no human studies about the benefit in my case, there is reason to believe I will get a 1-1.5% bump so I’m sticking with it. I understand there is a cumulative effect- so I’ll see how I keep feeling. I’m 4 months in.
Radiation began after healing about two weeks later. I had five days a week at a higher dose and fewer treatments. Three weeks instead of lower dose for six weeks. They were able to do that b/c I tolerated the higher dosage without burning or other side effects.
In 2004, I had rt breast cancer with lumpectomy and radiation. then put on Arimidex for five years. That drug was new on the market and I did not want to take it but didn't feel I had a choice. Six months in, my left wrist began to ache, feel weak and painful, really painful in the thumb joint. Was told that it was not from the drug. Then right wrist began same thing. Again told not from the drug. Five years of a living hell on that drug with no more than two hours sleep at a time b/c of the full body joint pain. I finished my five years and swore I would never live like that again. In 2021, developed left sided breast cancer. Again radiation, and I refused to take the Arimdex . Was told there was and infusion available now instead that had no side effect. Called Faslidex. Monthly infusions instilled in both sides of my back. By year three and half having difficulty walking, wrists excruciatingly painful, both legs experiencing full leg muscle cramps sometimes both at the same time. After 4.5 years, having difficulty functioning, walking or doing activities of daily living b/c of the wrists and back. Now in physical therapy for back, legs, arms. hands and wrists. So much damage. Damage from Arimdex never went away and got worse on the Faslidex. I would not do any of it again. Faslidex excreted by the kidneys and caused sever bladder infections and urine smelled like putrid motor oil for about eight days after infusions. Also had bouts of unexplained nausea and vomiting. Health care insurance now has to cover all the treatments for all the damage the drugs did to my body. I am so done with it all.
One month after my lumpectomy & lymph node biopsy. I began letrozole two weeks later ( 9/22/25). I began 16 radiation sessions. I've had hair breakage which eventually lead to thinning and some joint pain increase (but already had mild osteoporosis prior to IDBC diagnoses). Strange side effects seem to pop up short term. Some longer (esophagitis 4-6 weeks), now a visual issue which may or may not be related to anything other than aging for which I am seeing a specialist. No dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. It's just odd health issues that I never had prior to treatment. Before June last year I described myself as healthy and active at 70+ consistently working out and walking year round. Now it's one thing after another. Btw- I take my at bedtime due to the fatigue that accompanies Letrozole. That has been the one consistent side effect. I was referred to an Endocrinologist by my GYN, and am beginning a bisphophonate Rx this week which I am not thrilled about but it is used to treat osteoporosis. I just don't like the possibility of new side effects.
Blessings to you on your journey, you should be aware that there are many who don't have notable side effects from Letrozole, I hope you are one of them.
Connect
Connect
Like
Helpful
Hug
I think doctors want to avoid lawsuits, but what's the sense of saving your life if you feel horrible due to depression and weak bones?
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@wildapple50
Sounds reasonable but researchers suspect the use of HRT increases the risk of certain cancers. https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/risk-factor/postmenopausal-hormone-use/
Nobody knows for sure what causes cancer in women. We just follow their recommendations. When it comes to my health, I’d rather err on the side of caution.
@myoga
The article you gave is referring to estrogen pills and progestin, a synthetic hormone. The same conclusions can't be drawn for body identical (biodentical) patches, creams, gels and progesterone (not progestin).
That's why it's great that we have choices.
@wildapple50
How about these links
https://www.mdanderson.org/cancerwise/does-hormone-replacement-therapy-increase-cancer-risk.h00-159699123.html
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanonc/article/PIIS1470-2045(12)70456-4/abstract
Even estrogen produced by our own body can increase the risk of breast cancer as we get old. When evaluating the risk of breast cancer, there are questions regarding when the menstrual cycle begins and ends. The later the cycles end the higher the risk.
Anyway the original question is not about the safety of HRT. It’s about when we should start either AIs or Tamoxifen after radiation. I started anastrozole two weeks after radiation.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI started anstrazole 3 days after last radiation.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionI started letrozole six months before radiation. There were a lot of delays and confusion in coming up with a treatment plan. It went letrozole, lumpectomy, radiation.
I've now been on letrozole almost 3 1/2 years with no side effects and no unusual loss of bone density. Good luck to everyone!
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 ReactionsMy journey is atypical. I started taking 10mg Tamoxifen 19 months after finishing radiation after serious pressure from my oncologist as I was not going to do AIs or tamoxifen. I’m a lucky case because without the AIs was was already at 95% likely to remain cancer free so the bump for five years of AIs could get me to 97.5%. After hearing all the terrible stories of side effects, I just didn’t want to do it. (Had my numbers been different- I would not have hesitated 58 at dx, post menopause - IDC grade1, stage 1, no nodes, low oncotype). After many rounds with my oncologist I agreed to try “baby tam” - 5 mg and that was easy so we went to 10mg. With 10 I’m noticing weight gain and some joint pain. I did have headaches, but they have subsided. While there are no human studies about the benefit in my case, there is reason to believe I will get a 1-1.5% bump so I’m sticking with it. I understand there is a cumulative effect- so I’ll see how I keep feeling. I’m 4 months in.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsRadiation began after healing about two weeks later. I had five days a week at a higher dose and fewer treatments. Three weeks instead of lower dose for six weeks. They were able to do that b/c I tolerated the higher dosage without burning or other side effects.
In 2004, I had rt breast cancer with lumpectomy and radiation. then put on Arimidex for five years. That drug was new on the market and I did not want to take it but didn't feel I had a choice. Six months in, my left wrist began to ache, feel weak and painful, really painful in the thumb joint. Was told that it was not from the drug. Then right wrist began same thing. Again told not from the drug. Five years of a living hell on that drug with no more than two hours sleep at a time b/c of the full body joint pain. I finished my five years and swore I would never live like that again. In 2021, developed left sided breast cancer. Again radiation, and I refused to take the Arimdex . Was told there was and infusion available now instead that had no side effect. Called Faslidex. Monthly infusions instilled in both sides of my back. By year three and half having difficulty walking, wrists excruciatingly painful, both legs experiencing full leg muscle cramps sometimes both at the same time. After 4.5 years, having difficulty functioning, walking or doing activities of daily living b/c of the wrists and back. Now in physical therapy for back, legs, arms. hands and wrists. So much damage. Damage from Arimdex never went away and got worse on the Faslidex. I would not do any of it again. Faslidex excreted by the kidneys and caused sever bladder infections and urine smelled like putrid motor oil for about eight days after infusions. Also had bouts of unexplained nausea and vomiting. Health care insurance now has to cover all the treatments for all the damage the drugs did to my body. I am so done with it all.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
3 ReactionsOne month after my lumpectomy & lymph node biopsy. I began letrozole two weeks later ( 9/22/25). I began 16 radiation sessions. I've had hair breakage which eventually lead to thinning and some joint pain increase (but already had mild osteoporosis prior to IDBC diagnoses). Strange side effects seem to pop up short term. Some longer (esophagitis 4-6 weeks), now a visual issue which may or may not be related to anything other than aging for which I am seeing a specialist. No dizziness, nausea, headaches, etc. It's just odd health issues that I never had prior to treatment. Before June last year I described myself as healthy and active at 70+ consistently working out and walking year round. Now it's one thing after another. Btw- I take my at bedtime due to the fatigue that accompanies Letrozole. That has been the one consistent side effect. I was referred to an Endocrinologist by my GYN, and am beginning a bisphophonate Rx this week which I am not thrilled about but it is used to treat osteoporosis. I just don't like the possibility of new side effects.
Blessings to you on your journey, you should be aware that there are many who don't have notable side effects from Letrozole, I hope you are one of them.