Cancer Research UK main site

Frightened

Penlan123
Offline

I had lumpectomy and axillary node clearance in June of this year followed six weeks later by margin clearance.  I am her2 positive.  I consented to chemotherapy, but after the first of four sessions decided I wanted no more due to the physical and mental trauma caused.  I have also declined the 3 weekly injections given over the course of a year (18 in total) and I have declined to take ibandronic Acid. i Have done so because I am almost 70 years of age and the side effects of these treatments are I believe unacceptably high.  I now find my myself left with radiotherapy not due to start until possibly next week, also to take letrozole for the next 5 years.  I am having serious doubts about whether I should start taking the letrozole  because again the horrendous side effects.  I feel very upset that chemo has made me lose all my hair, but reassured it will grow again, then I read that letrozole leads to serious hair damage and loss, also overweight, pain and depression...

  • Offline

     

    Hi Penlan,

    A very warm welcome to our forum.

    I am sorry to hear of your recent diagnosis and subsequent issues with treatment. It is all very complex and can be daunting. Not everyone gets the side-effects you refer to and the consultants cannot predict who will and who won't. Are you really ready to throw in the towel without a fight? I'm not saying that the journey is plain sailing, but it is doable.

    I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 12 years. I have had a lumpectomy and a double mastectomy without reconstruction and I am eternally grateful that I am still here. I am now 72 and I have been fortunate enough to witness so many family milestones in that time - milestones that I never thought that I would see.

    Devastating as it is to lose your hair, this is only a temporary blip and it will grow back. You are unlikely to lose all of your hair with Letrozole, although it can become a little thinner. Please excuse me for being so blunt, but, in the big scheme of things, is this not better than losing your life?

    The decision has to be yours and yours alone, but please think carefully before you decide.

    Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. We are always here for you.

    Kind regards,

    Jolamine xx

  • Offline

    Hello and thank you for posting

    Treatments for cancer can be difficult to cope with and everyone will deal with these effects in different ways. Chemotherapy can be challenging and as you say hair loss is something that many people do find very difficult to cope with.

    The benefits of treatments are always weighed up against any risks and these treatments are given as past research has shown that they offer people the best chance of managing their cancer. Inevitably, side effects can be such that some people do not find it possible to continue with treatments.

    All treatments will unfortunately have some side effects, but until you start, there is no way of knowing whether you will be affected by any of them. Some people find that letrozole is very 'doable', others that they may get aching joints but no other symptoms and others may get more side effects - the range does vary hugely. 

    I'm sure that you have already had a conversation with your breast specialist and possibly breast care nurse about your decisions and I should imagine that they may be encouraging you to try the letrozole.

    You can always stop the letrozole after you have tried them for a number of months , or there are different tablets that you can take, bearing in mind that although there are side effects with those too, some people  may find them easier to cope with.

    There's no easy answers in making these decisions , especially as other than your hospital team, no one can really advise you . I hope that you are able to come to a decision you feel comfortable with and if you would like to talk things through with one of the nurses here on the helpline, please do give us a ring - the number to call is Freephone 0808 800 4040 and the lines are open from 9am till 5pm Monday to Friday.

    All the best

    Wanda

Speak to a nurse

Quick links

Follow us

Registered with Fundraising Regulator (logo)
Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in England and Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247). A company limited by guarantee. Registered company in England and Wales (4325234) and the Isle of Man (5713F). Registered address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.