Hi Marg61 don't be nervous I haven't been using these forums long, I was only diagnosed 23rd July. Everyone on them is either in the same boat or has been so they understand. I think feeling scared is a natural reaction I know I am. I can't give you any thoughts from experience on your question but I would say speak to your medical team about your concerns and be led by them they are the experts. I'm sure someone will reply who may have some experience.  Wishing you luck. Xx

Hi Marge61, and a warm welcome to the forum, your among friends here so please don't be nervous. It's a difficult time for all of us at the beginning, I am on hormone blockers ADT, for 2.5 years now, I have regular bloods to check insulin levels, and a few other things, which have remained stable throughout with only the occasional tweak to meds, and I also have a few significant heart issues including  2 kinds of arrhythmia again with no issues due to ADT, but we are all different and your doctors have all your records and are in the best place to talk through your worries and concerns, best wishes.

Eddie xx

Thank you for your kind replies I will have to talk it through with them 

Mu oncologist only saw me once and said it's up to me and read me figures and facts and that he didn't need to see me again

Hi Marg61, you are very welcome, I was wondering if you have a cardiologist you could contact with your questions, 

Hi Marg,

A very warm welcome to our forum.

You do not say what age you are or, what type or stage of cancer you have. Have you had surgery yet and, if so, what type of surgery did you have? Some cancers are more aggressive than others and, with all operations, there can be the tiniest bit of cancer left in the breast, which could start to grow again. Hormone therapies are used to zap any tissue remaining and they do this by blocking Oestrogen, as cancer feeds on this.  Your care team would not suggest hormone therapy, unless they felt sure that this would benefit you. I have Arrhythmia and Diabetes, yet I still went ahead with this treatment

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer within a year of one another. I took Tamoxifen for 1 year following a lumpectomy. When I had a double mastectomy, the following year, I took Letrozole for 6½ years. Having had 2 bouts so close together, I would definitely advise taking the hormone blockers. Mine was diagnosed to be stage 1, Pure Mucinous Cancer. This is supposed to be one of the less aggressive cancers, yet it still returned so quickly. I often ask myself how I would have felt if I hadn't followed the advice to take Hormone Therapy.

Many of us think long and hard about embarking on this therapy. Most people cite the fear of side-effects as the reason. In truth, not everyone gets the side-effects and some just sail through treatment. I got a number of side-effects, but if I had to, I'd do it all over again, for the extra time it has afforded me.

I was left to decide myself too. I felt that this was wrong, as my care team, knew a lot more about the consequences of not taking hormone therapy than I did. Still, as patients we have to be given the choice.

This is just my experience of hormone therapy. Hopefully, others will come along to tell you their tales. In the end, the decision is up to you, but don't hesitate to ask more questions if you need to. You should also find a chat with your dedicated specialist nurse helpful, in reaching the right decision for you.

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

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Sorry for taking so long to answer. I am 62 and had a right mastectomy on 27 July this year o had a gene test and my score was 7 so never needed chemo and no cancer in lymph nodes 

Thanks for answering xxxx

Hi Marg,

I am delighted to hear that your gene test is well behind you now and, I hope that you are recovering well. I am sure that you were very relieved to get such a low result for your Oncotype DX test, meaning that you didn't need chemo.

What did you eventually decide to do about the hormone blockers? It's always a difficult decision to make. Whatever you decided, I hope that it is the right choice for you.
Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Marg,

You are just a year older than I was when I started hormone therapy. I hope that the tests on your liver don't find anything untoward. I have cirrhosis and get my liver checked every 6 months - so far, there's been no dramatic change, so here's hoping that this continues. It is well worth drawing up a list of questions about hormone therapy, before you speak to your consultant or GP.

Do please let us know what you eventually decide to do.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx