Hi @salamander

I had stage 1, BCRA2+ so I had a double mastectomy and ovaries removed to be done with it. Instant menopause at 54 when ovaries were removed. No radiation since I had the mastectomy and lymph nodes were clear. I was ill advised to skip Tamoxifen telling me it would make little difference since my chances of recurrence were small.

7 years later I had BC in my chest wall and pectoral muscle. My new oncology team told me the assessment and advice I received from that original team was inaccurate. I was told taking Tamoxifen would have reduced my chances of recurrence by as much as 50% (opinions vary on %). Ironically, NOW I'm on Letrozole to block estrogen (also had tumor resection, radiation and am taking Kisqali this time around).

Like you, I'm always afraid of side effects since I'm missing some liver enzymes needed to properly metabolize a lot of meds so they sit in my body and become toxic. I also have a lot of allergies. I've had a lot of bad side effects from various meds in my lifetime. I've been on the Letrozole for 29 months now and will continue. I have side effects, but they are very tolerable for me.

Keep in mind, you can always stop the Tamoxifen if you can't tolerate the side effects. If I had to do it all over again back in 2013, I would take the Tamoxifen. Hindsight is 20/20. Best to you with your decision and journey. Blessings, Zebra