I am a 42 yr old with IDC Stage 1a, Grade 2, ER/PR+, HER2-, Node-Negative. I went through lumpectomy, SNB and Rads. When my first onc was giving me doubts about taking Tamoxifen, I went for a second opinion. Second opinion was much more aggressive. He definitely recommends Tamoxifen, which I don't have trouble accepting. But he has given me the option of ovarian suppression. In light of the fact that I did not do chemo, he feels that OS would be beneficial. Although there are no completed studies on the actual benefit of it. He comes from a very well known/well respected large cancer center with cutting edge technologies and I tend to trust him more than my first onc. But I am concerned that this may be overkill. Do I go with the standard treatment of Tamoxifen alone or should I go for both? It appears that there truly is a benefit to the combo, but is it a big enough benefit in my situation? Should I give it a try and if SEs are too much for me, then stop? Any advice is much appreciated.
- Resources
Well, you're doing the right thing here - getting a second opinion when you questioned the first one. Since this cancer center is cutting edge, ask your oncologist for the statistics he's using that makes him conclude ovarian suppressions would be good for you. Ask for the absolute (not relative) risks of a recurrence with and without OS. Like, "Your risk of recurrence with OS is 4%; your risk without OS is 6%." Rather than, "Your risk is reduced 33% if you have OS." (See how those two statements say the same thing in a very different way?)
My personal belief is that OS is overkill, as you say. I think a lot of time the docs want us to do EVERYTHING to prevent a recurrence, without taking into effect how devastating "everything" can be for your body and quality of life. Estrogen is important in so many ways; tamoxifen will suppress most of it. But it might be nice to have a tiny bit left, for all the benefits it brings.
Good luck - PJH
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