I had DCIS, stage 0, 11 years ago and did 35 days of radiation and took tamoxifen for 5 years. Last April, I found I had invasive ductal carcinoma, stage 1A.. I had lumpectomies for both. This time I did only 21 days of radiation and am now on anastrozole (Arimidex). I was also wondering what anastrozole would be like as I have heard so many stories. For me, it is nothing. I have had very minor things like hot flashes...but then it was a very hot summer and I was doing radiation. I have not had one since. I have always had aches and pains to some degree so I really do not think it is a problem for me. If I do have an achy day, I just think to myself that it is a sign that the medicine is working. Also, my cousin who has had breast cancer twice had a lumpectomy for the first one and no radiation or hormone meds. She got BC again in 3 years and just opted to have a double mastectomy also with no radiation or hormones. Now she wonders if she should have done either or both of the other therapies. I think there is no right answer to this. What works for one may not work for another. I opted to take the anastrozole because I did not to kick myself in the future for not doing everything I could for myself.

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