Lin Kropff
So many things are different in the treatment of breast cancer because the cancers are different. In my case, two small cancers were found in my left breast but only one had been found in the mamogram. The other was found in the biopsy of the breast tissue removed when I had the mastectomy. A lumpectomy would not have taken care of that second area of cancer. I will be forever grateful that I chose to have the total breast (and lymph nodes) removed. I have one year to go on Tamoxifen because the type of cancer I had is estrogen reactive (actually "feeds" on estrogen and the Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen drug. Apparently a five year course of the drug is about all that will do any good but I am cancer free at present and hope to stay that way. I am 65 years old, far beyond my child bearing years but did not opt for a hysterectomy when starting on the Tamoxifen treatment. I is possible that there is some risk of uterine cancer while on the drug, but the percentages are still very low. At my age, I thought I'd take a chance. Actually I never discussed that surgery with my surgeon or oncologist. The best to all on this forum. We are survivors and we are becoming greater in numbers every day! Lin