How important is taking hormone blockers after surgery for IDC?

I never heard of such a thing. “ if you don’t experience side effects it’s not working” to me that’s ridiculous.
I have multi foci Invasuve lobular breast cancer. Had lumpectomy, and since I wasn’t sure I could handle the hormone blockers , since I already have osteoporosis, I opted for radiation. My radiation doctor told me a lot of women can’t handle the meds.
Now.. I can’t make a decision about Tamafloxin because of side effects of blood clots and uterine cancer in older women.
I’m 75. My dx score was 11 and my margins were clear.
I have enough issues with autoimmune diseases and been on prednisone for over 2 years.
Let’s remember.. doctors are still practicing.. even taking meds doesn’t guarante anything, I heard now you should take them for ten years, OMG,

I think the simple answer is that it would depend upon one's risk of recurrence for cancer. There are no tests currently that can give definitive perfect information to answer that issue but there are genomic tests that can infer risk parameters.

I had a lumpectomy 18 months ago and declined anastrazole, an aromatase inhibitor, after trying it and not feeling comfortable with the side effects.

But my decision was made easier by the fact that the cancer was very small, 5mm, caught early, accompanied by a clear sentinel lymph node biopsy, and OncotypeDX score showed me at very low risk of recurrence (if it's statistical model is valid and the oncology industry seems to think it one of the important genomic tests available so I'm going with that vote of confidence). And I will be routinely monitored every 6 months, with mammo, ultrasound, bloodwork including tumor markers and physical evaluation. I'm also older. The risk of recurrence for the exact same cancer would be many times higher were I, say, in my 30s. So a lot of factors can come into play and each person needs to be informed about them so able to make the decision that feels most 'right.'

Hi there. Sorry chemo was brutal (I was just talking to a friend who just finished). Did you mean your Oncotype was 44? Do you know your ER and PR scores? If ER is high, like 90% for instance, then tamoxifen should be very helpful. But if you ER is low, 10% for instance, you could discuss with your doctor whether tamoxifen is helpful and how much. If it significantly reduces risk that is something to think about and your doc can discuss that with you.

My oncologist started me on tamoxifen back in March. I started with a half dose, 10 mg., because I am afraidr of side effects. I do not want to take this medication and I am leaning towards discontinuing it. This is why I am on this site I would like to see what others are doing. I was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma back in April 2022. I had a lump ectomy with clear margins and clear lymph nodes, I was told by my surgeon that I would not have to have chemo but only radiation. However, because testing showed that my chance for reoccurrence was at a number 44, my oncologist pressed for chemo which I did chemo was brutal. I have suffered very negative side effects from the chemo and I’m still recovering , this is why I do not want to take the tamoxifen. I am here to read other stories and find out what others are doing or not doing and the reasons for their decision.

Did you have lumpectomy or mastectomy?

We would never know. I have three friends who didn't take any treatment after the surgeries and they are healthy and good.

One thing that a lot of us don't know is that the stem cancer cells cannot be killed by the chemotherapy, on the contrary the stem cancer cells become more aggressive. When the recurrence is happening it's from those stem cancer cells that originally initiated the Cancer.

I was diagnosed with ER+, HER- Idc in September 2022. Had lumpectomy, clean margins, no nodes involved, 3mm size. No chemo as no node involved. Oncologist said radiation not needed as tumor small and estrogen blocker should help prevent recurrence. On Arimidex now for 5-10 years plus Fosamax as bones are very thin, not osteoporosis yet but headed that way. Weather is colder now so can’t tell if meds are making joints a bit more achy or the cold. A few hot flashes but nothing major. So far so good. trying to keep positive attitude. Bigger problem is failed total knee replacement from august 2021. Had major gi complications from original surgery so very hesitant to think about a revision when no guarantee that will be better. Hugs to all on this too common cancer journey!

I’m 72, diagnosed with IDC ER-PR Positive HER2 negative. Jan. 22. Had a unilateral mastectomy with reconstruction and taking Anastrozole for 8 mos. now. Mildly sweating at night, mild joint discomfort…alleviated with stretching and exercise, possible mild hair thinning ( may have been reaction to anesthesia-telogen effluvium) now stopped and reversing. Basically I don’t notice any mild side effects anymore. I am mitigating possible bone loss with strength training and weight bearing exercises and upped vitamin D and food based calcium.

I feel safer taking Anastrozole; I think if it as depriving any lingering BC cells from being fed. I feel grateful that I don’t have difficult side effects ( I’m typically sensitive to meds).

It’s a once a day pill so if it’s problematic you can stop anytime and switch to another brand.

Best to you in your journey.🌸

We are the same age and I also was diagnosed with IDC. I had lumpectomy and did 20 treatments of radiation. After I went on Letrozole and I have side effects that are very tolerable such as sweating, some weight gain and some hair thinning. I’m told that the pill behaves as a deterrent for recurrence.
You may be lucky and do well on the pill. Worth a try and good luck.

Hello, my situation is very similar to yours. I had terrible side affects on all 3 ai's and have been on Temoxifan for 3 months. I had terrible hot flashes and my oncologist prescribed Effexor and that has eliminated almost all hot flashes. So far the Temoxifan has been the best for me. Good luck to you!! I was not very hopeful either!!