1. < Breast Cancer

Anastrozole - should I take?

Posted by jspeterson55427 @jspeterson55427, Jul 1 10:19am

I'm 73, and was recently diagnosed with stage ER/PR+, HER-2- Invasive ductal carcinoma, grade 1a, of the R Breast and had a lumpectomy. I have a 13 Oncotype DX score and negative for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes after doing genetic testing. In 1994, I had stage 1 breast cancer of the L Breast and had chemo and radiation. Then, in 2001, I had a complete hysterectomy (including ovaries) after being diagnosed with stage 1 uterine cancer. The radiation in 1994 caused me to develop a left bundle branch block of the heart. I haven't made a decision whether to take the suggested Anastrozole. I'm considering alternative treatments rather than take Anastrozole because I've heard horror stories about its side effects. I already have macular degeneration, and the left bundle branch block. If you have a similar story, or refused the AI inhibitors because of side effects, could you share it with me?

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1ek | @1ek | Jul 5 3:51pm

I declined AIs since I have osteoporosis and my cholesterol tends to be on the high side, and AIs worsen these conditions. I take Tamoxifen, which generally isn’t offered to post menopausal women - AIs are the drug of choice.

I asked my oncologist about the difference in effectiveness between AI & Tam for my specific situation - Oncotype of 0, tumor stage 1, grade 1, no lymph involvement. She said that in my case, while AIs would maybe be a tiny bit more effective to prevent recurrence, but given my other conditions, Tamoxifen makes sense.

I don’t believe she would have offered me Tamoxifen if I hadn’t asked - I think they are trained to only offer the guideline directed therapy, unless the patient asks. I was surprised at the reaction from my other doctors (surgeon, radiologist, primary care) that I’m taking Tamoxifen & not an AI, they seem to assume that AIs are the only option for post menopausal patients.

I think it’s important to discuss concerns with your doctor, try the meds if they make sense, and know that if you develop issues, talk to your doctor so they can stop or change them.

REPLY
1 reply
Lisa | @kods | Jul 6 7:58am
In reply to @ladyofthelake1 "Age 62- I have the similar type breast cancer. 1st time Cancer. Stage 1b Er&Pr Positive..." + (show)
@ladyofthelake1

Age 62- I have the similar type breast cancer. 1st time Cancer.
Stage 1b Er&Pr Positive & HER2 negative.left breast lumpectomy, surgery was MAy 29, 24. I have Sentinal node POS, Next Node Negative. Margins are clear though doctor said. I am suppose to go radiation only treatment this July 24.

Surgeon started me on Anastrozole a week prior to surgery. After a few weeks being on it, I had intense pain in my ankles and tops of my feet where veins are. Same on hands and wrists achy. I felt sluggish. I recently switched two nights ago to Letrozole 2.5mg. Will see in a couple weeks if less pain. I also started walking about 20 minutes in the morning every other day. Will add indoor bicycling soon too.

I still have ovaries. Surgeon recommends I should remove them. All CT scan and MRI are good or unremarkable. I am going to take a bone scan next week. Bracha Gene 🧬 Test is negative.

I’m thinking about ordering Haelin 951.

I wanted to do Proton Radiation Therapy but Surgeon said not enough studies for Lymph node positive. They need to have a combo machine of both Types. Jane

Jump to this post

Why are they recommending you have your ovaries removed?
Thank you!

REPLY
1 reply
Jane W. | @ladyofthelake1 | Jul 6 9:46am
In reply to @kods "Why are they recommending you have your ovaries removed? Thank you!" + (show)
@kods

Why are they recommending you have your ovaries removed?
Thank you!

Jump to this post

My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread there to ovaries.

He also suggested redoing my breast implants. My breast implants were done around 1995 Mayo Clinic by Head Surgeon Dr Paul Schnur. They seem to be holding up pretty good so far, but he said like old tires 🛞 gradually deflate. Ugh 😩

What is you cancer type? Did you do MamnaPrint? When diagnosed? What do you take? Age?

Thanks for reaching out.

Jane W.

REPLY
3 replies
Jane W. | @ladyofthelake1 | Jul 6 9:49am
In reply to @1ek "I declined AIs since I have osteoporosis and my cholesterol tends to be on the high..." + (show)
@1ek

I declined AIs since I have osteoporosis and my cholesterol tends to be on the high side, and AIs worsen these conditions. I take Tamoxifen, which generally isn’t offered to post menopausal women - AIs are the drug of choice.

I asked my oncologist about the difference in effectiveness between AI & Tam for my specific situation - Oncotype of 0, tumor stage 1, grade 1, no lymph involvement. She said that in my case, while AIs would maybe be a tiny bit more effective to prevent recurrence, but given my other conditions, Tamoxifen makes sense.

I don’t believe she would have offered me Tamoxifen if I hadn’t asked - I think they are trained to only offer the guideline directed therapy, unless the patient asks. I was surprised at the reaction from my other doctors (surgeon, radiologist, primary care) that I’m taking Tamoxifen & not an AI, they seem to assume that AIs are the only option for post menopausal patients.

I think it’s important to discuss concerns with your doctor, try the meds if they make sense, and know that if you develop issues, talk to your doctor so they can stop or change them.

Jump to this post

Very helpful your share to know if taking Lexitrole disturbs me and causes conditions. I hate all pills 💊. Ugh.

REPLY
jspeterson55427 | @jspeterson55427 | Jul 6 1:04pm
In reply to @ladyofthelake1 "My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread..." + (show)
@ladyofthelake1

My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread there to ovaries.

He also suggested redoing my breast implants. My breast implants were done around 1995 Mayo Clinic by Head Surgeon Dr Paul Schnur. They seem to be holding up pretty good so far, but he said like old tires 🛞 gradually deflate. Ugh 😩

What is you cancer type? Did you do MamnaPrint? When diagnosed? What do you take? Age?

Thanks for reaching out.

Jane W.

Jump to this post

I read this: Before the menopause, oestrogen is mainly produced by the ovaries.

If the ovaries are removed, or if they are stopped from working, there’s less oestrogen in the body to help the cancer to grow. This is ovarian suppression.

REPLY
1 reply
Lisa | @kods | Jul 6 1:42pm
In reply to @ladyofthelake1 "My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread..." + (show)
@ladyofthelake1

My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread there to ovaries.

He also suggested redoing my breast implants. My breast implants were done around 1995 Mayo Clinic by Head Surgeon Dr Paul Schnur. They seem to be holding up pretty good so far, but he said like old tires 🛞 gradually deflate. Ugh 😩

What is you cancer type? Did you do MamnaPrint? When diagnosed? What do you take? Age?

Thanks for reaching out.

Jane W.

Jump to this post

Thanks your reply! Mine is IDC and DCIS - ER and PR positive at 99% respectively and Her2-.
I’m just about about 2 years out from initial diagnosis. Had lumpectomy and radiation. No chemo but they were not able to get oncotype because they divide tumor into 16 blocks!
Samples are then too small!
And as might be apparent I still have my ovaries … hence my question. Thanks again for sharing.

REPLY
Lisa | @kods | Jul 6 1:44pm
In reply to @ladyofthelake1 "My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread..." + (show)
@ladyofthelake1

My surgeon said that ovaries are connected to somehow breast cancer. They have seen it spread there to ovaries.

He also suggested redoing my breast implants. My breast implants were done around 1995 Mayo Clinic by Head Surgeon Dr Paul Schnur. They seem to be holding up pretty good so far, but he said like old tires 🛞 gradually deflate. Ugh 😩

What is you cancer type? Did you do MamnaPrint? When diagnosed? What do you take? Age?

Thanks for reaching out.

Jane W.

Jump to this post

Also … I’m taking tamoxifen as I didn’t tolerate AI’s. Initial diagnosis at 64 and no genetic connection.

REPLY
2 replies
Jane W. | @ladyofthelake1 | Jul 6 3:38pm
In reply to @kods "Also … I’m taking tamoxifen as I didn’t tolerate AI’s. Initial diagnosis at 64 and no..." + (show)
@kods

Also … I’m taking tamoxifen as I didn’t tolerate AI’s. Initial diagnosis at 64 and no genetic connection.

Jump to this post

What kind of radiation did they do on you and how many treatments?

REPLY
Jane W. | @ladyofthelake1 | Jul 6 3:41pm
In reply to @jspeterson55427 "I read this: Before the menopause, oestrogen is mainly produced by the ovaries. If the ovaries..." + (show)
@jspeterson55427

I read this: Before the menopause, oestrogen is mainly produced by the ovaries.

If the ovaries are removed, or if they are stopped from working, there’s less oestrogen in the body to help the cancer to grow. This is ovarian suppression.

Jump to this post

Thanks, I guess I should take out ovaries then? Will I have to take another pill?💊. I don’t have my uterus.

REPLY
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