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A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
West Lafayette, IN

At my last check-up, my oncologist spoke to me about the SOFT study results. She suggested that I switch from Tamoxifen to a different treatment. She suggested the ovarian suppressant and AI. I've read up on the trial and honestly, it was all medical jargon. A little more information I am still premenopausal.
Ladies, I really just need some opinions. Has anyone else heard of this? Has anyone had their oncologist suggest this? Any advice would be appreciated.

July 2, 2017
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A MyBCTeam Member

My onc said my best bet was to remove the ovaries and do the AI, which is the plan i went with.

July 5, 2017
A MyBCTeam Member

I have been on Tamoxifen for 3 years now. Thanks for the advice!
It sounds like this is a good option for me. My next step is to talk with insurance to make sure I can afford this plan.

July 3, 2017
A MyBCTeam Member

Here's an article I found that might help: http://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/ovary...

July 2, 2017
A MyBCTeam Member

@A MyBCTeam Member, here's the SOFT trial results (you may have seen this, as I have, but I go back a review from time to time to make sure I'm okay with my choice). http://www.ascopost.com/News/20664

So, to my understanding their is no correlation between the annoying side effect of bone degradation by AI's and recurrence. It IS my understanding that one needs to be in full ovarian shut-down to reap the additional lowering of recurrence risk by AI over Tamoxafin. There are multiple meds for suppression (mine is Zoladex, for example, and there's Lupron. Zoladex can be given in monthly 3.6 mg implants or 3 month 10.8 mg doses).
You may want to rehash this with your onco to see if switching method or drug will achieve full suppression, if moving to an AI is your goal.

((Hug))

August 5, 2017
A MyBCTeam Member

I was told you have to be fully in menopause to take an AI otherwise it can cause a recurrence. The way my oncologist described it, it has something to do with AIs weakening the bones. Tamoxifen actually strengthens the bones. I've been on Zoladex to shut down my ovaries for almost two years, and I still spot at times when I'm close to my next dose, so I don't feel that I'm in menopause enough to switch. They can do tests to see if I am, but I've been doing fine on Tamoxifen for years now, so I'm nervous to switch.

August 4, 2017

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