I have been prescribed Letrozole, which I have not yet started due to concerns. At my Oncology consultation I raised my concerns with brittle bone as I already have osteoporosis in my spine, the reply to this was they would do 2 yearly bone density scans and if need be give me another pill to help protect my bones, ignoring the fact that I would rather not have brittle bones or take more pills. I also have missed fractures in both my feet due to an accident and raised concern that I do not want to end up with mobility issues, as I already experience these at times. I asked if there was another drug I could have that would not cause issues with my bones, to which I was ignored and did not get a reply.
I also said I was not happy to take the medication without a blood test to see what my oestrogen levels were as I was informed at a menopausal conference last year that my levels would be non-existent due to not having a period for 29 years years after having a Merina coil fitted, which was only removed 3/4 years ago. He did complete a blood form, but then went to see a colleague and came back retracting the blood test and said I don't need a blood test as I am post menopause and just to take the medication. Again ignoring the fact that due to the Merina coil I have had menopausal issues for the last 29 years.
He also informed me at the appointment that with the treatment of radiotherapy and medication the % change of cancer returning would reduce to 15 - 25% without treatment the risk of cancer returning is 20 - 30%.
With radiotherapy there are a number of side effects, to add to this mine treatment is on the left side, breast cancer. I was informed I need to hold my breath for 30 seconds each time they do the radiotherapy to protect my heart, I can only hold my breath tops 14 seconds, as the Oncologist time me, therefore I will end up with a heart problem as the waves will go through my heart, which he did not seem bothered with, only seemed to want me to have the treatment and nothing else seemed to matter.
Also rare with radiotherapy but can happen it can cause cancer in another part of the area being treated. Why give radiotherapy to protect cancer from coming back if it can cause cancer in another area, I'm puzzled.
Can anyone offer advise as to what to do for the best, for taking the medication or not and having radiotherapy or not, at the moment my view with what have read and been informed and what they could not be bothered to do (blood test), is not to carry on with the treatment with only having a 5-10% reduction in change or the cancer not coming back, I don't feel this percentage is worth the side effects and risks.
I was told when this all started that my cancer was totally cureable, now feeling with or without treatment it's not.
