Hi Kebb

I understand and sympathise, having been on hormone therapy for the last 15 months, I've had my ups and downs. However I am now on anastrozole and sertraline (for the hot flushes) and I am in a much better place and back to my old self. There are different hormone therapy medication and different brands and its a case of finding the one that works for you.

Statistics show us mortality rate for breast cancer is coming down and that is thanks to hormone therapy. You say you want to "live" well you have a better chance of that if you take hormone therapy. I'm glad you will be discussing this with your oncologist but I personally would not stop taking life saving medication.

Hello,

im going through a similar struggle. According to the stats only 5 percent of women taking an aromatise inhibitor such as letrozole or taking tamoxifen will benefit. Ie not get a recurrence. Personally if I take anything I will try tamoxifen because I think the side effects are more manageable. 
worth reading a book called Oestrogen matters by Avrum Bluming. Written by an oncologist last year. 
Good luck. 

Brilliant!  Many thanks for that I will definitely get the book. 

I am very worried about ‘crashing my life’ on hormones. So many people take a big hit on their quality of life. 

I am too old for Tamoxifen as I am 67 so it would have to be letrozole I think. 

Anyway I will read the book!! 

Big thanks fir the heads up on that. 

Kebbs. 

Hi Kebb.....I've just joined this forum and interested in posts about refusing HT.

I've just been diagnosed as grade 1, ER positive and will get lumpectomy January.  7 mm and at the moment lymphs appear clear.

Advised Tamoxifen. Strange as I'm 67.

I can't take AI meds as have osteoporosis.  Reversed this by natural methods.

Also 6 years clear of stage 3 bowel cancer.

I have been drug free for 6 years. Really can't face 5 years of drugs but frightened of recurrence as my mother died of breast cancer.  Tamoxifen didn't work.

Will ask for percentages on recurrence for non compliance.

Hi, I know this is an old post but anyone else decided against the hormone drugs and tried more natural alternative healing? I've had mastectomy/ tumours not spread but ER+. I feel if I find ways to help my body naturally this is a more powerful healing long term.( ie seriously increasing the 9factors from Radical Remission book). Anyone else feel this way?

Just wanted to say hello Venee and welcome to Cancer Chat.

It might help to discuss this with your doctor, if you haven't already, and you can also find information on alternative and complimentary therapies here.

I hope this helps,

Moderator Anastasia

Hi, 

I am fairly sure I am going to refuse hormone therapy and radiotherapy after my lumpectomy and concentrate on a holistic approach. The book Radical Remission has strengthened my resolve for sure. 

Fran 

I had radiotherapy and take tamoxifen I'm interested in what you said earlier can you explain this to me

thamk you xx 

love Lara ️

Hello Fran5,

Lifestyle changes are always a positive step, but they shouldn't be considered as an alternative to conventional medicine.

Using herbal supplements as recommended in the book, are what's known as complementary therapies. This means they can sometimes be beneficial in helping to reduce symptoms and side effects such as pain and nausea to help people feel better but are usually carried out in conjunction with conventional treatment such as radiotherapy or cancer drugs. 

It’s always important to check with your specialist before considering using complementary therapies. Many health professionals feel very positive about their patients using complementary therapies but they are not intended as an alternative and are not in any way a cure for cancer.

Unlike complementary therapies, alternative therapies are used instead of conventional medical treatment. There is no scientific or medical evidence to show that alternative therapies can cure cancer. You can find out more about the difference between the two on our website.

Your oncology team is there to help address any concerns you may have, so do discuss your options with them. 

All the best,

Moderator Anastasia