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Conflicted on taking medication

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Nov 8, 2023 | Replies (99)

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@kstar077

I can only tell you what I am doing. I had endometrial cancer very small but had total hysterectomy. Doc said 4% chance of getting. Everything out. Doc checks me every three months and now next check in April. Then 3months ago got breast cancer. 11mm. Took two months to have get surgery. It was 13mm out. Not in lymph nodes. Not in margins. Doc did not do radiation and my oncotype DX was 16. So no chemo. If I took antiestrogen drug the chance of cancer recurrence is 4%. If I don't 't take the chance is 8%. 4% difference is not much more risk. If I take the arimidex side effects are body aches, blood clots and osteoporosis. I already have RA that methetrexate is keeping me sane and has taken pain away and swelling of hands gone. I am thin and would get osteoporosis. I am on the border now with osteopinia. 8% probability of getting my can back is low. And taking the antihormone drug has to many. Side effects for me. I am seeing my oncologist in a month and we will discuss again but right now I am leaning away from antihormone. You have to weigh all the pros and cons and decide for yourself with your docs. Good luck!

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Replies to "I can only tell you what I am doing. I had endometrial cancer very small but..."

How old are you if you don’t mind me asking. I am 61 and also on the fence about taking anastrozole. I had 2.5mm mixed ductal and lobular removed with clear margins and no spread to lymph nodes. Stage 1a. 4 weeks of radiation also. I did not need chemo, I am thin with osteopenia, but healthy otherwise. My oncologist highly recommends taking anastrozole to prevent cancer reoccurrence not just in the breasts but anywhere in the body. I started it two days ago and will know in a couple of weeks how I feel. So far so good. It seems that this drug has worked well in preventing recurrences in research studies. If the side effects become unbearable I will definitely reconsider something else. It is truly a conundrum trying to figure out the risks. In the end I decided I would like to decrease the odds of cancer recurrence while also working with a naturopathic doctor. Sending healing thoughts and energy your way.