Question:
I was diagnosed with DCIS and am just finishing radiation.
I had WLS last Dec. 30 and have lost 105 pounds. I am so afraid that when I start taking Tamoxifen for the BC that it will not be absorbed and protect me from getting cancer again. Has anyone else had to deal with this? Any info would be great. — Julia B. (posted on December 14, 2003)
December 14, 2003
Sorry but I do not know what DCIS is, but my suggestion is to get your WL
surgeon in touch with the oncologist or radiologist. They need to
understand the special needs of your new anatomy and then choose something
that will work with it. I also would be concerned of the malabsorption.
It took till about 8-1/2 to 9 months for me to realize I was malabsorbing
my depression medication. It wasn't until something more significant came
along and I just could not deal with it the right way. Bumped up my
medication a small amount and the rest is history. Things are back like
they should be.
<p>I'm so sorry you have to go through this and I will keep all good
thoughts for a speedy recovery and very long healthy life! Fight with
everything you've got!! Blessings, Chris D.
— zoedogcbr
December 14, 2003
I do not know how the Tamoxifen may or may not be absorbed - but I would
suspect that there is more than one mode of delivery (although one might
need to persue that concept instead of waiting for the information to be
volunteered). Perhaps you could get it in patch form, the same way the
birth control "pills" are now offered.
Was your cancer limited, I assume? No positive nodes? Tamoxifen is well
known to be effective against breast cancers that are hormone receptive, as
it certainly sounds like yours is, if they are talking about putting you on
Tamoxifen - I would discuss this with your surgeon, and also your
oncologist to find the best possible route for delivery of the med. Good
luck, and my thoughts and prayers are with you.
— johanniter
December 14, 2003
I had my open RNY December 12, 2002. In May I found out I had DCIS. In
June I had a biopsy, then re-excision, followed by 30 radiation treatments.
They did not put me on Tamoxifen, so I really can’t give you an
answer on that. They did take me off of my hormone patch and I go back in
April for a checkup. God bless you and good luck! Sapala-Wood Micropouch
213/130/125.
— Jazzy
December 29, 2003
I was diagnosed with breast cancer 3 years before my gastric bypass. You
need to ask your oncologist about your hormone receptor status. Tamoxifen
is not necessarily indicated when you have a negative or weakly positive
hormone receptor status. I did not take Tamoxifen, and I will be 5 years
cancer free in February. My best wishes are with you. You can beat this!
— Ann H.
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