Treating breast cancer: Sarah's story

'Not everyone is as lucky as me'
'The oncologist presented a choice of hormone treatments. I could take Tamoxifen orally for five years or have injections of Zoladex every three months for two years.

I really struggled with this. I was fed up and didn't want any more treatments. I was worried about the side effects. I said I needed time to think about it. I researched the treatment and talked to the breast care nurse and other patients. In December I decided to go ahead and opted for Zalodex because the treatment was shorter. I had dreadful side effects and felt really ill. I made a decision not to continue with it because I felt quality of life was much more important than having something I couldn't manage. I started a course of acupuncture and that was effective in getting the toxins out of my body. By May this year I was back to normal.

I wish in hindsight I had gone with my gut feeling and not had the hormone therapy. But I was really lucky with the consultant I had. Everything was explained to me and I wasn't pushed into anything. Not everyone is as lucky as me.'

Sarah's advice
Sarah says her treatment gave her several important pointers she'd like to pass on to other women on the verge of treatment for breast cancer:

• 'The most important thing is to get as much information as possible on the treatments that are being offered to you.'
  
• 'Don't be rushed into anything. A day or two is not going to make any difference.'
  
• 'Don't make a decision about everything at once.'
  
• 'Don't feel that what the doctors say is written in stone and can't be questioned.'
  
• 'Complementary medicine helps you feel more in control and can be very effective in dealing with the side effects of orthodox treatments.'
  
• 'Always have someone accompany you on your hospital visits. Prepare questions. One of you ask them, while the other writes down the answers, which can be discussed at home.'
  
• 'Researching on the Internet is fine, but you need people - nothing beats talking to patients and the breast cancer care nurse.'
  
• 'Go with your gut feelings at all times.'