Men with breast cancer: Your experience wth hormonal therapy?

He noticed a large lump in his leg. Check with your doctor on this as blood clots are one potential side effect of this medication.

I am 83 and have been taking tamoxifen for almost 2 years. Had mastectomy, 3 positive lymph nodes and 16 proton radiation treatments. I am ER+. I garden and walk briskly most days. What were the specific signs and symptoms that he noticed regarding the formation of a blood clot. I was told to wear compression socks when riding long distances and to stop driving after 2 hours and walk for a few minutes. I'd like to know what to look for. Thanks. Glad he is doing well.

My husband had breast cancer about 6 1/2 years ago. Had mastectomy, no chemo or radiation. Estrogen positive. No lymph nodes involved. He took tamoxifen for 6 years then noticed the beginning of a blood clot in one of his legs so he stopped. Doing really well 😊 joints ached the first year but he was working full time. He is a family practice doctor and mostly retired. Walks a lot, stretches a little cycling. One day at a time! Good luck to you!

I had stage two breast cancer about eight years ago and after surgery and chemo I have been taking letrozole alone for almost the eight years. I have no side effects( that I know of) and the cancer has not returned.
All the best

I have ER+ breast cancer and am 15 months post mastectomy, 6 node removal (3 positive) and 16 proton radiation treatments. Surgery in 4/21. I am taking 20 mg of tamoxifen and have daily headaches that I try to ignore. I had a cording issue that PT resolved and now a pectoral muscle/shoulder issue that, again, PT is helping. Otherwise, I am back to normal. I am about to be 83. My Mayo oncologist never mentioned another drug, but I did have a genetic test to confirm that I was properly metabolizing tamoxifen. Good luck to you. Hope surgery and follow up treatment goes well.

Oh my, you've had enough cancer experience for one person. Gosh. I will continue to search for other men with breast cancer who have experience with Leuprolide and Letrozole to share with you.

Thank you Colleen, I appreciate your response. I am a Mayo patient currently discussing this with my oncologist, she had a similar answer. I would just like to get an impression from someone that has experienced the same thing that I may. I also have NHL and lung cancer, so this a very difficult choice. Thanks again,
Cliff Stark

Weighing the risk vs benefit profile is a very personal decision that is best informed with your oncologist. Your oncologist can give you best estimates of recurrence and you add your considerations of which side effects you are willing to live with. While the possible side effects may be many, you may not experience all or any. Such a tough decision.

I believe Letrozole can be taken alone, but again your treatment recommendations are based on you. Have you asked your oncologist about the pros and cons of taking both or Letrozole alone?

Thank you Colleen, I cannot take tamoxifen so my interest is only with the Leuprolide and Letrozole. Is it worth taking these meds given the efficacy and risk reward? Can Letrozole be taken alone?

Welcome, @cstark46. I moved your message to this discussion about hormonal treatments for breast cancer in men, specifically.
- Men with breast cancer: Your experience wth hormonal therapy? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/male-breast-cancer/

I did this so you can see the previous posts and connect with other men, like @dick61 and @rpfricker, who are taking hormonal therapy for breast cancer. They are taking tamoxifen. Leuprolide is also commonly used in men with prostate cancer.

Cstark, when will you start hormonal therapy? Do you know for how long?