Hi
This year will be 10 years since my breast cancer diagnosis.
I was 37 when I was diagnosed, I had chemo, radio and a lumpectomy. I was then put on tamoxifen for 10 years.
During the past 10 years I have had classic menopausal symptoms and my periods have stopped.
I am becoming a bit anxious about not having the protection of tamoxifen when it comes to an end this year. (Although I do realise it can’t be prescribed for longer than this due to it becoming a risk to other areas of the body).
my questions are;
1.Has the effects of chemotherapy and tamoxifen brought about a ‘fake’ menopause (and when my body is tamoxifen-free, will my hormones bounce back and I will then have to go through a ‘real’ menopause at some point? (I hope I’ve had the real thing!).
2.If my hormones bounce back, is there anything else I can take to prevent the cancer coming back? (As my breast cancer was hormonal). Will I be more at risk? Or should I take comfort in knowing it has been 10 years, so the risk has reduced over time?
Anxiety has been one of the worst parts of this disease. It’s the classic ‘what if’ questions that I try not to dwell on.
thanks in advance for your advice/ support.
clare
