Ask an Expert is a free question-and-answer service about breast cancer and breast health that is available on weekends. If you'd like to ask a question or comment, please visit us again on Saturday or Sunday. In the meantime, please search the existing topics using the search tool at the top of the page. It's quite possible that one of our many existing topics already addresses your question.
If you would like a consultation with a breast specialist at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center, call 443-778-2778. It is possible to get an appointment for a second opinion within a few days of contacting us.
We hope you find the information helpful!
| Forum | Questions | Ask a Question | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Hormonal Therapy Questions about Hormonal Therapy. |
2,522 |  |
| Asked | Publicly Submitted Question | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 5/1/2012 | I am 31years old, diagnosed with Stage 1b, grade 3 breast cancer in 9/11, micromets found in my sentinel node, all other (15) nodes removed were negative. I had bilateral mastectomy in October, started 8 rounds of dose dense ACT which I finished 2/23/12. I am still receiving Herceptin every 3 weeks for the remainder of one year. Radiation was discussed and decided it was not needed. Now, it is time to start Tamoxifen. I was only 2 % ER positive, PR negative. My oncologist feels we should be aggressive and go after those "2 out of 100 cells" that Tamoxifen may target. Are there standards on how hormonally driven a cancer should be before therapy is considered? Or are all "positives" worth treating? I'm worried that this may be over treatment of something minimal, bit I also understand the need to be aggressive at my age......any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 5/1/2012 | good question however there are not standards that are clearly defined regarding hormone receptors that are in the single digits and to what degree of benefit will tamoxifen be. Your age no doubt is a driver of this recommendation from your doctor. So go and get a formal consultation with another breast medical oncologist. Also, if you haven't heard, consider getting genetic counseling and testing too. if you tested positive for a breast cancer gene, then there would likely be a discussion about removing ovaries after childbearing is completed and that may also undo the need for hormonal therapy. | ||
Please note: This service is not intended to provide primary medical advice concerning specific medical care or treatment. Ask an Expert is a free service operated by health care professionals at the Johns Hopkins Avon Foundation Breast Center. Due to the volume of questions and their complexity, there are times when medical oncologists, surgeons, radiation oncologists or oncology nurses are consulted for their input. These individuals volunteer their time for this service and will respond as soon as they are able. Please do not post or send the same question to us in multiple locations or categories.