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DianneS · 11-05-2009, 03:51 PM

So, I scored a 4 on the Allred test for ER positivity. Not a strong positive....onc says I would benefit about 4-6% from Tamoxifen.

I am struggling with wondering if the side effects are worth taking Tamoxifen.

There are no studies on weakly ER positive women...they lump us in with the strongly positive ER women.

Anyone out there taking Tamoxifen?
Any side effects?

I did the CYP2D6 DNA test to see if I would metabolize Tamoxifen and I am a normal metabolizer. Woopie. That does not mean I get increased benefit - still 4-6%.

I am afraid to begin as I had a tough time with Herceptin, feeling achy and tired. Thanks for any input,

Dianne

11-05-2009, 03:51 PM	#1
DianneS Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 327	Tamoxifen and weakly ER positive women? So, I scored a 4 on the Allred test for ER positivity. Not a strong positive....onc says I would benefit about 4-6% from Tamoxifen. I am struggling with wondering if the side effects are worth taking Tamoxifen. There are no studies on weakly ER positive women...they lump us in with the strongly positive ER women. Anyone out there taking Tamoxifen? Any side effects? I did the CYP2D6 DNA test to see if I would metabolize Tamoxifen and I am a normal metabolizer. Woopie. That does not mean I get increased benefit - still 4-6%. I am afraid to begin as I had a tough time with Herceptin, feeling achy and tired. Thanks for any input, Dianne __________________ Three years and 5 months NED Dx: Aug 2008 right breast IDC with 50% of tumor DCIS, Stage II or IIA, tumor size: 2.1 cm Grade 3 8/9 Richardson/Bloom test ER+ weakly positive Alred Score: 4 (suggesting I would strongly benefit from hormone therapy) PR-, HER2 positive +++ No vascular invasion No lymph nodes involved Surgery: Sept. 9, 2008 -Modified radical mastectomy, right breast. I chose to have a simple mastectomy on the left. Began Taxotere/Carboplatin/Herceptin November, 2008. Finished T/C March 2009. Finished #16 Herceptin Sept. 09. AI's and Tamoxifen made me sick. Began natural Tamoxifen which is Quercetin, I3C and a combo of other supplements. I am also a DES Daughter. There is now a link between DES exposure in utero and breast cancer!