Feb 4, 2023 04:06PM salamandra wrote:

On these boards, I know lots of women who have or have had issues with endocrine therapy (including me!), but in real life, most of the women I've spoken with on these drugs are doing absolutely fine. It makes sense - those having issues are much more likely to come here and/or stick around. So try not to be too swayed by anecdotal experiences.

That said, if you would be happy to get rid of your breasts, to me that totally changes the risk benefit analysis. I would say please just do your research ahead of time about the cosmetic and tactile outcomes you are likely to have (this will be personal, depend on the location(s) of your cancer, the recommendations of your oncologist, and the skill and resources of your plastic surgeon if applicable).

I'm a bit confused though because normally mastectomy vs lumpectomy impacts rads vs no rads, but does NOT impact hormonal therapy vs no hormonal therapy. Rads and mastectomy are both local treatments, and hormonal therapy is a whole body treatment and the only one that can have a direct impact to reduce metastatic recurrence. But maybe it's because your tumor is so small?

Hopefully you can get another appointment to discuss with your doctor and get recommendations. Maybe even a second opinion to fully understand hormonal options - most insurances have coverage for this because the cost of cancer treatment is so high. Some high risk menopausal women take evista, which is a SERM like tamoxifen, to prevent breast cancer. It is considered slightly less effective than tamoxifen as far as I understand, but also better side effects profile. Normally it wouldn't be used for women with a history of breast cancer but if your doctor put forgoing AI on the table, then maybe they'd explore it with you as an intermediate option between nothing and AI.

Mar 4, 2023 04:26PM msphil wrote:

hello sweetie I want to encourage others so here is a portion of my story. I was 42yrs old met man of my prayers this washout 2nd marriages we were planning when i found lump in my L breast in had worked as in O R for 15 yrs as Instrument tech then had my own office in medical records in Pediatric. Got my biopsy and was diagnosed with idc had 2nd opinion also. Got 3mo chemo before and after L mast then we got married and then 7 wks rads and 5 yrs on tamoxifen. Wanted lumpectomy but Oncologist and now husband said do mastectomy. I am this ur a 29 yr breast cancer Survivor Praise God and Our 29 th Wedding Anniversary. Hope n Positivity Faith Family Friends and My Husband got me thru. Pray this helps. Idc stage 2 L mast .