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Patient guide
Pre-Menopausal Breast Cancer Hormone Therapy Options: The Complete Patient Guide
This guide is about EDT, estrogen deprivation therapy: treatment that blocks estrogen or shuts down its production, such as tamoxifen, an aromatase inhibitor, or ovarian suppression shots. It is the opposite of hormone therapy for menopause symptoms.
- $25 in the CHOICES Library
- Included in Paid
- Included in All Access
Who this is for
For women who were premenopausal when diagnosed with hormone-receptor-positive, HER2-negative early breast cancer.
It compares tamoxifen alone, tamoxifen plus ovarian suppression, and an aromatase inhibitor plus ovarian suppression. If you have already started, the side effects and “managing side effects” sections are for you too.
What this guide says
The short version, taken from the guide itself.
- It compares the three treatment choices with results given as numbers per 100 women.
- It lists the side effects the trials measured for each, including hot flashes, vaginal dryness, pain with sex, bone and joint pain, and sleep problems.
- It describes low-dose vaginal estrogen and testosterone as options some women raise with their oncology team for side effects.
What it does not say
- It is not a reason to stop or change treatment on your own. If side effects are hard to bear, it says to ask about switching regimens rather than stopping altogether.
- It says vaginal estrogen and testosterone after breast cancer are off-label choices to make with your oncology team, not standard care.
One question to bring to your doctor
“What is my plan if side effects become intolerable? Can we switch regimens rather than stop EDT altogether?”
A short sample
“Reading through this guide, you’ll come to understand your risk category, and with it, whether there’s a benefit to tamoxifen alone. What additional benefit might you get from ovarian suppression with tamoxifen, or from an aromatase inhibitor plus ovarian suppression?”
From the public part of the Substack post that introduces the guide.
How to get it
- $25 in the CHOICES Library
- Included in Paid
- Included in All Access
You’ll go to the CHOICES Library, our online store, to buy. It is one payment of $25, and nothing renews.
Buy for $25 →Already Paid or All Access? You’ll go to the CHOICES newsletter on Substack to read and download.
Read it on Substack →Not sure which plan? Compare plans
CHOICES is educational only. It is not medical advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for individualized care from your own clinician. Talk with your own healthcare professionals before making treatment decisions.
CHOICES by Dr. Bosserman™
