Tablets for 15 years

[Jennymary]

I've just seen on the BBC website that a trial has shown that taking hormone drugs for 15 yrs reduces the risk of it coming back, the trial had top billing at the world's largest cancer conference, may be worth a read x

[Hidden]

Yes I saw this on mobile news app, Flipboard. They did a study of nearly 2000 women with hormone related BC and found that taking tamoxifen and other inhibitors cut the risk of recurrence by more than 30%, if taken for 10 to 15 years. Reading some encouraging stuff lately with cancer altogether, may it long continue!

[Michele64 in reply to Hidden]

Morning, I have be told by my oncologist that I will probably on tamoxifen for 10 years now rather than the 5 I was originally told, oh well only another 9 and a half to go

[Hidden]

Wonderful news for anyone who can do it (anyone for whom it is -- and remains -- suitable treatment for that long)! And encouraging for us all -- *they* are always looking for answers.

[Lainey66]

That's great to hear, I just wish they could do something about triple negative breast cancer now. They have absolutely nothing to help thosr who suffer with this besides the chemo and radiotherapy. I'm nine months in chemo now (third lot of chemo) and began my radiotherapy last week and still the cells are there and active. Nothing actually appears to be 'getting rid' of them. One more session of chemo left and 21 of radiotherapy, then it's like dropping off a cliff - fingers crossed and all that sort of stuff!! 😔

[Mell in reply to Lainey66]

Oh Lainey I do feel for you, you have had such a long hard road with uncertainty. I really hope things start improving for you soon. Stay strong xx

[Lainey66 in reply to Mell]

Hi Mel 🙂 I'm having a bit if a struggle mentally lately, hence me being rather quiet on here. I just feel a bit low 🙄 I'll pick myself up shortly and give myself a good shake. Hope all is good with you xxx

[Gracie66 in reply to Lainey66]

It can get difficult I'm sure to see past what you are going through and some days you must be so tired and it gets in in you definitely. you are in good hands and this is the hard phase. Chemo and radium sap everything out of you. But its a Means to and end . Hang in there.. if you're ever in Dublin I'll meet you for lunch and we can bitch about it all if you like. Xxx

[jonesrw in reply to Lainey66]

Hi Mel, Ive just read your post and Im not on here very often but was compelled to message you and give you support-go girl!! I'm HER2 stage 3 and coming to the end of the treatment. I know you have a very tough road to go down during the treatment but hang on in there-the time will pass really quickly-I kept counting them off! I went to reiki which really helped. I was a bit sceptical at first but it was really relaxing and gave me lots of energy in between treatments. The chemo totally messes your head up to and takes you into dark places especially at night. After chemo it wasn't so bad. Big hugs xxxx

[jonesrw in reply to Lainey66]

Hi Lainey and Mel I meant the message for Lainey-sorry! blame it on the chemo brain!xx

[CherylNorman in reply to jonesrw]

Please don't joke about chemo brain. Well, I guess we can with each other, but I find it hurtful when non-patients do it, don't you? They have no idea.

[jonesrw in reply to CherylNorman]

Hi Cheryl. I am an academic and was crippled with cognitive impairment and I am just climbing out of it. So I was n't joking. I was trying to send a cheerful message to Lainey.

[CherylNorman in reply to jonesrw]

I know. I was trying to send a cheerful message, too. ☺

[Mell in reply to jonesrw]

No probs 😃 Xx

[Mell in reply to Lainey66]

Lainey you are such a strong lady you will get through this. I could never get over people saying that to me when I was first diagnosed but you know they are right, we are strong and we can do this. I'm not very religious but firmly believe that we are only given what we can deal with. I've had a terrible 18 months with the divorce, diagnosis and treatment followed by the Court settlement but I'm on the other side now, back at work and a brighter future hopefully. I will say I am absolutely drained by it though. If ever I had any doubts I had my mum up in heaven tapping me on the head as she did when I was a child, saying "so you're just going to give up and let it win are you?". That's not to make light of your situation, I know you will pick yourself up again because you are strong and won't let it get the better of you. Keep well and stay strong my lovey x

[Lainey66 in reply to Mell]

Thank you Mell, you are right it is a hard road but we will do it xxx

[linlow in reply to Lainey66]

Lainey66 have you been told about, or otherwise looked into, hyperbaric oxygen therapy? It works as an adjunct to chemo and radio therapies, helping to soften the tumour so that it breaks down easier - and it softens the therapy side effects too. Although not widely advertised as a cancer treatment HBOT has in actual fact been used in combination with radiotherapy for more than half a century now, either to maximise its effectiveness or in an attempt to treat late complications.

Taking a diluted solution of bicarb improves the effects of the HBOT in oxygenating the blood. As does bathing in a concentrated solution. It can also be used as a mouthwash to counter mouth sores that result from the radiotherapy.

Check out your vitamin B12 levels. Both chemo and radio therapies can play havoc with these. If you are deficient that might go some way to explaining your mental struggle (aside from the chemo fog that is). Being a water soluble vitamin you could actually supplement quite heavily without overdosing but you need to take a bioactive form.

If you have access to unsprayed dandelions try adding the young leaves to your diet or making a tea from the whole plant to drink daily.

[jonesrw]

I am upset about your comment don't jump for joy yet. None of us need negativity. Iam trying be positive. I havent been told to avoid estrogens. I am not having tamoxifen and my BC is not hormone positive.

[CherylNorman in reply to jonesrw]

A word of caution isn't negativity. However, because I've upset you, I've removed the comment and myself from this discussion.

[linlow in reply to CherylNorman]

CherylNorman I didn't see your 'don't jump for joy yet' comment but, as I try to rouse my mother out of her Tamoxifen induced, Letrozole aggravated, suicidal state, I have an inkling that I might have agreed with it.

What gets me frustrated is the avaricious grip that the pharmaceutical industry has over medical policy. The cynical part of me says that this latest move is a means to boost profits after the recent debacle over statins and the losses that will be incurred as more informed patients refuse to take them.

So then to the question of why adjunct therapies like diet, hyperbaric therapy and bicarb, that can ameliorate side-effects and maintain improvements, not more widely touted? Mother's oncologist knows nothing about them but they are all scientifically proven in research as support mechanisms. No Profit - except to the patient - I guess.

Another question I have is why are there sugars in the food supplements prescribed for mother's poor appetite when sugar is known to feed cancer (it is actually used to locate growths during scans) if not to prolong the condition so more treatment can be applied.

Then there are the proven natural cancer cures that circumvent the need for surgical intervention whilst causing apoptosis far in advance of any chemo or radium therapies. The real problem with these is that the industry cannot patent natural cures so will not fund research AND, since it controls the research, discredits evidence that supports alternative methods - including diet. youtube.com/watch?v=ot96y5-...(Not working as expected?)

Nature, the best chemist - from the scientist who is proving that dandelion works in clinical trials (and finding a way of making some money from it) youtube.com/watch?v=xTNpzJ_...(Not working as expected?)

Cancer the forbidden cures - the history of modern treatments and methods by which (free) natural cures have become so discredited youtube.com/watch?v=NAMYAoi...(Not working as expected?)

The Rick Simpson Story Second Edition - the argument for hemp oil as a wonder drug from the guy who gives it away for free whilst fighting off the authorities youtube.com/watch?v=khkEpKM...(Not working as expected?)

These are only the tip of the iceberg. Of course life can provide no 100% guarantees as everyone is different but why perpetuate unnecessarily barbaric, known carcinogenic, methods in the interest of profit????

I am not expecting a response as you have withdrawn from the post but OHH! it makes me so angry when I see what 'policy' and a blinkered attitude has done to my mother that the words just had to come out.

[Whitesheba in reply to linlow]

Couldn't agree more with you xx

[Mell]

I've been told to avoid dairy too. I have a lactose intolerance anyway so only have lactofree milk but can not give up cheese so these days try and limit myself to the amount I have 😩

[CherylNorman in reply to Mell]

I can't give up cheese, either! But I have cut down. It's not easy being un-cheesy. LOL

[Rebec]

Just one comment about 10-15 years on Tamoxifen. I was started on Anastrozole and after two years on it, my oncologist wanted me to move to Tamoxifen. Now, apparently Anastrozole has to be taken for "just" 5 years while Tamoxifen, according to what i know, for ten. I decided to stay with the same medication. I'm worried about our loss of calcium especially in our bones, I'm worried about developing osteoporosis while trying to ensure breast cancer stays away.

Also, growth hormone can be found not only in dairy products but in meat too! Unfortunately, I so love my steak!

Wishing to all of us that cancer will be reduced to just a bad episode in the faraway past and that we'll live a long and cancer free life!

[linlow in reply to Rebec]

Rebounding is the best exercise you can get for preventing or reversing bone loss/osteoporosis. rebound-aerobics.com/NASA_r... Go to youtube for numerous videos discussing the benefits (such as QiBounding - Rebounding for Osteoporosis Part 1) and demonstrations of effective exercises.

In addition research has shown live kefir (not the shop bought stuff) to reverse bone loss.

[Hidden]

I've been on Exemestane for 5 years & was expecting my Oncoligist to say that's it I'm done, which I was dreading I must admit. But, he says a new trial has shown that Tamoxifen is now recommended for 10 years & although the trial for Exemestane is still on going, he is sure it will come out with the same results & is happy for me to continue with it for another 5 years. Phew!

My lymphoedema nurse told me the other day that originally hormone drugs were recommended for life! Then reduced down to 5, now it looks like they'll all go up to 10. Personally I'd stay on it for life if it kept it away!

Keep strong ladies xxxx

[Blueskye]

Urrgggh...15 YEARS?