anjalima | @anjalima | 1 day ago
At 71, and After a “ normal” mammo and ultrasound in 10/21 (but a persistent symptom) I PERSISTED… until an MRI revealed 2 tumors IDC. ONCOTYPEs 14 and 20. ER+, HER2-, I had a unilateral mastectomy Feb. 2022. Reconstruction began at time of surgery and completed exchange surgery in July. I began Anastrozole in April. I’m mid way through month 5 and I have very minimal obvious side effects … some days my hips ache until I stretch. I will do a one year DEXA ( insurance won’t pay until 2 years) to check in on possible unforeseen side effects . My advice is to try ( anti) hormone treatment if advised by oncologist and see if will work for you. If it does you are one of the 60% who are lucky enough to use this tool. Science and incredible amounts of research tells us that it is beneficial for hormone + BC.
I recently read the informational insert again and I surmised that there is potential wiggle room as far as dosing goes. Worth a conversation with oncology.

But, like you, I question everything. I declined suggested radiation because I technically qualified for the TAILOR RT clinical trial <25 ONCOTYPE, which is studying AI alone vs AI plus standard fraction radiation. Many institutions are offering this clinical trial to determine the benefit of radiation in certain clinical pictures. It was the TAILOR RX clinical trial that led to ONCOTYPING and since 2015 has saved 70% of BC patients from unneeded chemotherapy.

Science and research are on our side trying to fine tune treatments that are beneficial while trying to minimize risk. Supporting research is critical!

As I will be followed very closely with mammo and MRI alternating 6 mos. I’m hoping that any future local recurrence will be found.

We make the best possible decisions with the information we have weighing benefit, risk and quality of life.

A collective hug to all of us on this healing journey. 🌸