Should I take hormone therapy after DCIS lumpectomy and radiation at 69?

This is such an important decision to weigh carefully with your medical oncologist. The choice about hormone therapy after DCIS treatment involves balancing potential benefits with quality of life considerations, and it sounds like you're approaching this thoughtfully by considering all factors including your excellent fitness routine and overall health. Your oncologist will be able to discuss the specific risk-benefit ratio based on your individual pathology results and help you make the decision that's right for your situation. It's completely normal to have concerns about side effects, and many people in this community have navigated similar decisions - feel free to share what questions you're planning to ask your oncologist, as others may have helpful insights about their own experiences with these conversations.

I am in the same situation. Same diagnosis, but intermediate/high grade. I had surgery and have started radiation. My doctor does want me to start tomaxifin (even though I am 67) but I am leaning towards not doing it because of my other health issues and concerns about side effects. I’m still trying to sort oout the percentages. Anyone else in the same situation? Diana

Hi 👋🏻 I was diagnosed with ER+/HER2- Invasive Ductal Carcinoma in November 2024. I have had a lumpectomy, chemo because I have a high risk for reoccurrence and radiation. I am on anastrozole and kisqali. I have had few side effects from these meds but had every side effect from chemo. I always think you should try something. You never know how your body will respond. Good Luck!!!

Gilda I am in your shoes! I have/had DCIS in situ hormone positive with a lumpectomy followed up by 20 rounds of radiation therapy I did the genetic testing which came back negative but I also struggled with the hormone replacement therapy I read and studied up on Tomoxifin which I did not want to take! I’m 43 pre menopausal so my oncologist wanted me to take Tomoxifin but after reading about the side effects I decided to not take it, my oncologist said I need to suppress your overies as a preventative and I had the same thought as you Why should I have to take a pill for 5 years if I had a lumpectomy with clear margins followed by 20 rounds of radiation with boosters!? I’m cancer free right now and the side effects of Tomoxifin are scary! One of those was uterine cancer! My oncologist gave me options 1. Shots in my stomach once a month to suppress my ovaries 2. My overies removed or 3. A full hysterectomy I read, studied, asked questions, got second opinions and prayed about this and decided to have a full hysterectomy scheduled for this Tuesday which I’m extremely nervous about, but I also have to take an AI at the moment I am pre menopausal so I’m taking Anastrozole lowest dose 1mg for a little over a month now, I am experiencing side effects rt now hot flashes, joint, bone pain like growing pains, and of course fatigue.. but I thought if I eliminate my hormones that I could opt out on a AI but unfortunately although I’m having a hysterectomy I still have to take the pill because our bodies store estrogen in our fat cells which I didn’t know before right now the side effects are tolerable but if they get worse I am going to see what other options I have. It’s so frustrating because like you I didn’t understand why I had to take a pill if my cancer is gone? My advice to you is do your research, get second opinions, pray on it, listen to your body and don’t make a rational decision I even asked my oncologist if he “over treated” his patients and of course he said no I also asked him if he were me what would he do? Bluntly he said that he couldn’t answer that question because he’s not a female! Which really upset me because I’m sure like you all you want is answers and someone to tell you what decisions are best for you but only you know what’s best for you so advocate for yourself and don’t let the doctors install fear in you! God Bless you 🙏 and good luck with your journey