Hi, new here.

Megsy 23 days ago

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Hi, all. I was diagnosed with breast cancer after mammogram last August, Ductal carsinoma hormone reactive.

i had lumpectomy in Sept and radiotherapy treatment finishing the week before Christmas. Started taking Letrozole 1Jan.

recovery from surgery went extremely well, and effects of radiotherapy kicked in on Boxing Day. Had to take naps for a few days but the tiredness lessened until this last couple of weeks where I have had disturbed sleep with hot sweats, a few aches, but now a shocking headache and down the left side of my face.

it would appear that symptoms of the drugs are supposed to ease off so I am hoping this is so.

i am now looking at skin care. My usual creams have collagen in so I am reluctant to carry on with these. I am going to visit my local branch of Boots to speak to the MacMillan rep there for some advice on creams with sun protection. I’ll post any results then. It seems there are lots of things to consider in the long term and trying to navigate through conflicting information is not only scary but exhausting. That is why I have joined this forum to hopefully share these problems

sorry this was so long nut I had a lot to say

Irishgirl16 22 days ago

Hi Megsy, welcome to the forum and thanks for sharing your experience so far. I'm one of the volunteer champions here in this group and I hope you'll find it a friendly and supportive place.

I am so taking letrozole, have been for 4 years now. I sometimes have stiff joints and hot flushes, but generally I tolerate it pretty well. I would suggest you keep your medical team updated with your symptoms in case they don't improve. Some people also find that they react differently to different brands, due to the “fillers” that are used in the tablets.

I hope you’ll find isome good advice on skincare, best wishes

bobof 22 days ago

Hi Megsy, you might want to look at the app YUKA - you can scan the barcode of cosmetics, toiletries and foods and they provide the breakdown of ingredients (including toxins, pollutants and carcinogens). I opt for brands like Caudalie, Green People and Upcircle for clean, unscented and mostly pro-environmental products. They also do good quality sunscreen.
let us know if you find anything else that is highly rated.

Leelaloo 22 days ago

Hi Megsy, I was just interested in why you are reluctant to use collagen creams? I have hormone positive breast cancer and take collagen gummies I did ask oncologist if this was okay and she said yes. To be honest I don't have much faith in that because she didn't seem to know. I wonder if I should stop taking them?

Lee x

Megsy 22 days ago in reply to Leelaloo

Thanks for your response. I was told not to take collagen as it’s listed as not safe to take. This was from the Breast cancer care team. I checked with them about the vitamin supplements I was taking and all came up ok except the collagen.

Busymum39 22 days ago

Hi Megsy I’m new to this journey too. I was advised to go to Boots about face creams etc, but was told they only know about prescribed creams not off the shelf ones. The beauty department also was the same. There was no MacMillan rep in my local Boots and was told it isn’t something they do now! Please can you let me know how you get on? I’m going to go to my local hospital pharmacy with my questions to see if they know more. Be kind to yourself. Busymum39 x

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