1. < Breast Cancer

What helped you make treatment decisions following DCIS lumpectomy?

Posted by denise4sure @dposie, Oct 11, 2021

I had a stage 0 grade 1 low grade. Decided against radiation. Little difference between reoccurence percentages. Spoke to oncologist today about hormone treatment. I am 67 yrs old and working. Recommended that I take anastrozole if I do not have bone loss problems. If I do it will be Tamoxifen. I will decide soon. My greatest concerns are quality of life and side effects, which I've read comments about them here. It's a tough decision. What was helpful in making your decision?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

monigue | @monigue | Oct 23, 2021
In reply to @beckypetty "I only took Arimidix for 3 months. Side effects started about 4 weeks after I started...." + (show)
@beckypetty

I only took Arimidix for 3 months. Side effects started about 4 weeks after I started. And increased to the point that I had no quality of life. I was iffy about starting it in the first place. Most of my symptoms went away except for the worsening of neuropathy. EO is Essential Oils. There are several recommended for breast cancer. Google EO for breast cancer. I rub a few drops of 2 kinds into both breast and massage for several minutes. I change the two kinds every 3 days.My scars are barely noticeable. My plant based diet is just that.. I eat most everything plant based. Like almond milk instead of dairy milk. I gave up dairy, gluten, caffeine, processed foods, fried foods, sugar …but organic everything . I only eat beef 2 a month and then it’s organic grass fed beef. Chicken maybe once a week. Organic and free range.

Jump to this post

Thank you
Hard to believe that EO will reduce cancer, as it is proclaimed ) but it wouldn’t hurt to try. Which one though?
I wander how can we to figure out if hormonal therapy is working ?
Why the oncologist refusing to to Oncotype DX, if I don’t do chemo and radiotherapy ? Many grey areas!!?

REPLY
grabofsky | @grabofsky | Oct 23, 2021

I was diagnosed with DCIS, grade 1, rapid cells and not estrogen derived. It was diagnosed locally and I also went to Cancers of America for a 2nd opinion. Drs locally wanted me to have a lumpectomy with chemo and radiation to follow. Cancers of America suggested I get a lumpectomy with clear margins, eat healthy, increase my Vitamin D and I would me fine. Came back to local surgeon and he made an error and cut thru the tumor. HMMM?? He was furious I got the 2nd opinion and I was dumb to have him do the lumpectomy. I called my Seattle Drs and they said I had no choice now but to have a masectomy. Still did not have any chemo or Radiation and I am 10 years post surgery. Barbara

REPLY
monigue | @monigue | Oct 23, 2021

I wander if anybody on Tamoxifen have /had serious side effects such as endometrial problem, shortness of breath, chest pain, vision problem ?
I am hopping I can survive the common side effect, but not serious Thank you

REPLY
1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @monigue "I wander if anybody on Tamoxifen have /had serious side effects such as endometrial problem, shortness..." + (show)
@monigue

I wander if anybody on Tamoxifen have /had serious side effects such as endometrial problem, shortness of breath, chest pain, vision problem ?
I am hopping I can survive the common side effect, but not serious Thank you

Jump to this post

I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45, my oncologist recommended chemo as well as radiation. I had a choice of chemo—could do four treatments with Adriamycin or six treatments of another drug that would probably not cause me to lose my hair; I did the six treatments. After chemo was done, I started Tamoxifen in 2001 and was on it a little less than three years.

After about 10 weeks on Tamoxifen, I started having hot flashes; the drug had put me into "chemical" menopause. In 2004, I developed a blood clot in my right calf (blood clots are known possible side effect of Tamoxifen). While in the hospital to dissolve the clot, doctors noted that I had anemia. The anemia was from the very heavy periods I had been having for about a year; I had to have a hysterectomy because of uterine changes/early cancer (another known possible side effect of Tamoxifen).

I was put on and took Aromasin for six years after this. From the very first pill until about three months after my last dose of Aromasin, I would "urp" all night long after going to bed—I didn't have anything come up, but would belch several times every minute until I got up in the morning.

REPLY
3 replies
monigue | @monigue | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @texasduchess "I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45,..." + (show)
@texasduchess

I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45, my oncologist recommended chemo as well as radiation. I had a choice of chemo—could do four treatments with Adriamycin or six treatments of another drug that would probably not cause me to lose my hair; I did the six treatments. After chemo was done, I started Tamoxifen in 2001 and was on it a little less than three years.

After about 10 weeks on Tamoxifen, I started having hot flashes; the drug had put me into "chemical" menopause. In 2004, I developed a blood clot in my right calf (blood clots are known possible side effect of Tamoxifen). While in the hospital to dissolve the clot, doctors noted that I had anemia. The anemia was from the very heavy periods I had been having for about a year; I had to have a hysterectomy because of uterine changes/early cancer (another known possible side effect of Tamoxifen).

I was put on and took Aromasin for six years after this. From the very first pill until about three months after my last dose of Aromasin, I would "urp" all night long after going to bed—I didn't have anything come up, but would belch several times every minute until I got up in the morning.

Jump to this post

Thank you,It was awful. how are you now?
I am old and perhaps will have different issues on the way, unless I stop all together

REPLY
ptown | @ptown | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @debra145 "I had a lumpectomy 2 years ago for DCIS INSITU. The doctor wanted to put me..." + (show)
@debra145

I had a lumpectomy 2 years ago for DCIS INSITU. The doctor wanted to put me on Tamoxifen but I was afraid of the side effects. I didn’t need radiation treatment. I inquired about Raloxifene (Evista) and the doctor agreed. So far so good, still praying everything will go well.

Jump to this post

What are side effects with evista or other newer treatments.

REPLY
ptown | @ptown | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @texasduchess "I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45,..." + (show)
@texasduchess

I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45, my oncologist recommended chemo as well as radiation. I had a choice of chemo—could do four treatments with Adriamycin or six treatments of another drug that would probably not cause me to lose my hair; I did the six treatments. After chemo was done, I started Tamoxifen in 2001 and was on it a little less than three years.

After about 10 weeks on Tamoxifen, I started having hot flashes; the drug had put me into "chemical" menopause. In 2004, I developed a blood clot in my right calf (blood clots are known possible side effect of Tamoxifen). While in the hospital to dissolve the clot, doctors noted that I had anemia. The anemia was from the very heavy periods I had been having for about a year; I had to have a hysterectomy because of uterine changes/early cancer (another known possible side effect of Tamoxifen).

I was put on and took Aromasin for six years after this. From the very first pill until about three months after my last dose of Aromasin, I would "urp" all night long after going to bed—I didn't have anything come up, but would belch several times every minute until I got up in the morning.

Jump to this post

Thoughts on whether to take hormone blockers or not with dcis stage o

REPLY
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @texasduchess "I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45,..." + (show)
@texasduchess

I had a lumpectomy in 2000; tumor was small and hormone-positive. Because I was only 45, my oncologist recommended chemo as well as radiation. I had a choice of chemo—could do four treatments with Adriamycin or six treatments of another drug that would probably not cause me to lose my hair; I did the six treatments. After chemo was done, I started Tamoxifen in 2001 and was on it a little less than three years.

After about 10 weeks on Tamoxifen, I started having hot flashes; the drug had put me into "chemical" menopause. In 2004, I developed a blood clot in my right calf (blood clots are known possible side effect of Tamoxifen). While in the hospital to dissolve the clot, doctors noted that I had anemia. The anemia was from the very heavy periods I had been having for about a year; I had to have a hysterectomy because of uterine changes/early cancer (another known possible side effect of Tamoxifen).

I was put on and took Aromasin for six years after this. From the very first pill until about three months after my last dose of Aromasin, I would "urp" all night long after going to bed—I didn't have anything come up, but would belch several times every minute until I got up in the morning.

Jump to this post

I also was young when diagnosed, at 38 and 45 I believe we look at treatment decisions a little differently. I know they told me “we will hit this with a hammer”, I didn’t ask if I could handle the side effects. I said let’s get to it, knowing I had a very aggressive cancer and I wanted more time with my husband. I am sorry you urped for years, but I am glad you got through it. How are you feeling now? How long have you been off treatment.

REPLY
1 reply
beckypetty | @beckypetty | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I use essential oils for a lot of things, can you tell me what ones you..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I use essential oils for a lot of things, can you tell me what ones you are using? I tried a few for neuropathy, they haven’t really helped that much but they smell nice anyway. I use ginger and jasmine for nausea. I eat very little meat, maybe a couple times per month, like you I eat a lot of plant based foods, but I could never give up my coffee. Lol. I do take traditional medicine, I also believe in the overall benefit of a healthy life. I am not a rigid kind of eater, I don’t have hard and fast rules but I think about health, quality and balance. I don’t want to live forever, but retirement age might be nice. Hahaha. I notice you did not take radiation, are you still following up with your doctor?

Jump to this post

These are the EOs I use to massage into both breast. I use 2 at a time and rotate them. They are Lemon, Pine, Clove,Orange,Rosemary,Sandalwood,Black Pepper, Chamomile, Copaiba,Frankincense and Lemongrass. I have a breast cancer coach and these are the ones she recommended for me.
I fired my oncologist. Lol. She insisted that I be put on “high risk” since I refused radiation and quit Arimidix and wouldn’t try another. She told me I would need a mammogram every 3 months. Told her I wasn’t doing that either and walked out. Went back to my DO and she agreed to set up any testing that I will need. My breast cancer coach advises me on everything, I talk it over with my dr and go from there. I’m doing great! Except I have terrible neuropathy! I find that peppermint EO helps the neuropathy pain . I make transdermal magnesium lotion and add peppermint EO to it.

REPLY
1 reply
texasduchess | @texasduchess | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @auntieoakley "I also was young when diagnosed, at 38 and 45 I believe we look at treatment..." + (show)
@auntieoakley

I also was young when diagnosed, at 38 and 45 I believe we look at treatment decisions a little differently. I know they told me “we will hit this with a hammer”, I didn’t ask if I could handle the side effects. I said let’s get to it, knowing I had a very aggressive cancer and I wanted more time with my husband. I am sorry you urped for years, but I am glad you got through it. How are you feeling now? How long have you been off treatment.

Jump to this post

With first breast cancer back in 2000 at age 45, oncologist said because I was "young," he recommended chemo. I could have passed on it, but with oncologist and husband both urging it, I did it, but opted for the less strenuous chemo--six sessions that probably wouldn't make me lose my hair. Turns out not doing Adriamycin chemo at that time was fortuitous as I was diagnosed with triple-neg breast cancer in same breast Sept. 2014 (and early DCIS in right) and needed to do Adriamycin chemo for that. Did six Adriamycin chemos followed by twelve Taxol chemos.

Am not being actively treated right now, but go to the oncologist twice a year for checkups--he just offered me the option of going just once a year as am six years out from chemo treatment, but I'll keep the twice-a-year schedule for peace of mind. The worst part of second breast cancer is reconstructing after double mastectomy; have had 7–8 surgeries now. Had to have implants removed in Nov 2020 and replacement of tissue expander (a lot of tissue was removed in Nov and had to grow enough skin to cover a new implant) in April.

REPLY
1 reply
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.