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Looking for research re: taking AI drugs vs not taking them
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jan 20 7:23am | Replies (27)Comment receiving replies
I think the 53% of reduction, to which this article refers, is prevention in women who are at risk for developing breast due to genetic factors or family history, for example, not for women who already have breast cancer. I have read that the risk reduction benefit from taking an aromatase inhibitor (AI) for 5 - 10 years after being diagnosed with ER+ breast cancer and after having had surgery and possibly radiation is 40% to 60%.
I was told that my chance of recurrence was 12% without taking an AI.
If I took an AI for at least 5 years, my risk would be between 7.2% and 4.8%. I had MANY side effects from anastrozole, the worst being severe depression and an overall poor quality of life. I was encouraged to try exemestane, but I declined. The hope of potentially reducing my risk of recurrence by less than 5%, was not worth feeling so awful for 5 -10 years, so I decided to stop taking anastrozole after 2 1/2 months. That was 4 years ago. I will be 75 in May. So far, I am doing well. I walk every day and eat a good diet.
I am not suggesting that anyone stop taking these drugs. It's a difficult, personal decision. Just know that it is your decision to make based on your situation and how you feel. I wish you all well. Try to be at peace with whatever decision you make. Sending hugs.
Replies to "I think the 53% of reduction, to which this article refers, is prevention in women who..."
I totally agree with you. I took anastrazole for one year stopping for weeks at a time to relieve the side effects. they were too numerous to list. I started letrozole and although the side effects were different they were bad as well. I had tingling in feet, hands and neck, neurologist told me after many tests that it was not neuropathy, that it was the Letrozole. I stopped it.
this is a terrible medicine given to anyone between 50-100 years old, sort of one size fits all. This is very wrong. If I were 55 years old, perhaps it would be worth it but at 76 years old, it is a miserable way to live for the next 10-15 years. I wish they would do studies for different age groups and assess if this medicine is right for everyone. all the studies are done for younger patients. My body was different at 50, at 60 and at 70. Now that I am 76, my body does not compare to my younger body, so how can this medicine be right for me now . I am confident that I will die from something else and not my stage 1 breast cancer.
Yes, great factual response. We have to understand the statistics as they pertain to us, individually. I refused AI treatment after Stage1 treatment including surgery and short term radiation. Factored in: stage, age, Onco Typing, current bone density, all factors being weighed. Risks and side effects outweighed benefits. AI treatment has multiple side effects. Do loads of research as it pertains to You. God Bless😘
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Thank you for your information. I received a lumpectomy in November, 2024, for invasive malignant hormone + breast cancer. The cancer was caught early, and I feel good at the moment. I begin 15 rounds of radiation in a week or so. My oncologist is prescribing anastrozole beginning in March, after radiation. The side effects scare me, to be honest. I already have joint pain due to osteoarthritis. I have two knee replacements. I am 73 years old, and doing pretty well, but I do not want any additional health issues as side effects. I am researching the benefits/ risks of AI therapy. I am leaning towards avoiding the medication, and using a healthy diet and exercise, as well as meditation to keep me healthy. I understand there is a slightly increased risk of reoccurrence of cancer, however I think the risk is worth the absence of side effects. I am still researching before I talk to my oncologist- the information on this site is very helpful. Thank you.