Is this normal?

[Staceyness]

Hi there🥰. Its been awhile since I’ve written but I’m always thankful for the information in this group. After 5 years on exemestane, I received the following report after my last scans. Progression…and I’m scared. Today my MO put me on tamoxifen with scans scheduled in 2-3 months. Is this a normal route to follow? I thought this was an old drug meant for breast cancer patients stages 1-3 who were trying to prevent it from coming back or spreading. Just looking for any tidbits you may have. I’m in Alberta, Canada and he explained that we are buying time until we get approved for what’s coming down the pipes. Please help me to understand. Thanks my friends.

[Staceyness]

PS: I have lobular MBC.

[Hazelgreen]

Three things may be worth saying to you: (1) If you google "bowel wall thickening", you'll find there are a host of possible causes which "may indicate a health concern", but may not. (2) Apparently, bowel thickening from metastatic breast cancer was noted in your 2018 scan, five years ago, so, if this is progression, it is not progressing very quickly. (3) Tamoxifan is a tried and true drug often used for metastatic breast cancer because it works. Be happy that your oncologist wants to use it as a possible preventive to ensure lack of spreading before further diagnoses are done.

[Staceyness in reply to Hazelgreen]

Thank you so much for your response. You are an encouragement to virtually♥️My onc told me he was sure it was cancer so no colonoscopy ordered. I guess I was stable for a long time (2018 was my initial diagnosis. I didn’t do well with ibrance and was hospitalized for a liver abscess so no treatment for a time) so it’s amazing how fast my bowels went downhill. I’m not complaining. I know I’ve been blessed with 5 years. I was just wondering if anyone else had tamoxifen after exemestane, letrozole and Ibrance. Thanks for taking the time read all of this!!!!

[Nocillo]

I’m currently on Tamoxifen with Ibrance. Tamoxifen has been around a long time, but still is quite effective. Best of luck to you. I might insist on a colonoscopy if I were you. How does your oncologist KNOW that it’s cancer?

[Staceyness in reply to Nocillo]

Thanks so much. It’s encouraging to hear you’re on the same meds. May they continue to work for you for a VERY long time♥️My onc and I have a very good and close relationship and I’ve chosen to trust him in this. Not having a colonoscopy didn’t sound so bad either. Lol. I’ve had SO many of them!!!