How long does risk-reducing endocrine therapy take to work for lobular carcinoma in situ?

Lobular carcinoma in situ, often called LCIS or lobular neoplasia, is a marker of increased future breast cancer risk rather than an invasive cancer that endocrine medicine is expected to shrink. Some forms are sensitive to hormones. Endocrine therapy can be offered to reduce the chance of a future hormone-sensitive breast cancer, depending on your pathology, family history, age, other health conditions and preferences.

There is no reliable sensation, home test or single scan that shows the medicine has started working. The useful signs are taking it as prescribed, completing planned clinical reviews and continuing the breast surveillance recommended for your situation. The treatment decision can be revisited if your health or priorities change.

Ask which endocrine medicine is being considered, how long the planned course may last and how follow-up will measure tolerability. Discuss hot flushes, joint symptoms, menstrual changes, mood effects, bone health and any other conditions before treatment begins. Keep a brief record of new symptoms and missed doses. If side effects affect work, sleep or relationships, contact the prescribing team; dose changes, a switch of medicine or another prevention approach may be discussed.

Tell your clinician about new breast changes, unexpected vaginal bleeding or symptoms that are becoming difficult to manage. Seek urgent help for sudden breathlessness, chest pain, coughing blood, or painful swelling in one leg. These symptoms need prompt assessment regardless of whether you continue endocrine therapy. Continue scheduled breast imaging and examinations unless your care team changes the plan.

What type of LCIS was found, and how does that affect prevention choices? How will we review benefit and side effects over time? Which breast surveillance schedule is right for me? What should I do if I miss a dose or cannot tolerate the medicine?