[roz123]

Linn - im in the same boat. Pre-meno on tamox when my periods returned about a year after chemo ended. I was tested several times and told I was menopausal but was NOT advised to go on an AI for exactly the reason Becky stated. Although it wasn't explained to me that they ovaries wake up only that being young we could snap out of menopause very quickly which I did (had my levels drawn 4 months prior to the p returning and it said I was meno)

as for ovarian suppression/removal - yes this is the BIG question. Does it offer an advantage. Answer is that until the results of the SOFT study are released they just don't know. They were supposed to be released at San Antonio last year but according to my onc they had so few incidences (reccurances) that the study was extended

I am having my ovaries shut down right now using Zoladex (like Lupron) if the studies show no benefit I will go off the shots - it there is a survival benefit I will pursue ovary removal.

for what its worth my second opinion onc at Dana Farber said tamox alone even with the return of periods was sufficient so yes there is no "standard of care" on this issue

anxiously waiting results myself as I really feel like cutting off your estrogen to early can lead to other serious health issues like heart and bone health