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Decide against aromatase inhibitors?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Aug 27 10:53am | Replies (124)Comment receiving replies
Thank you, my chance of recurrence is 4% without endocrine therapy 2% with it. My margins were all 5 mm.
I already have osteopenia, though I am very active and exercise and lift weights. I already feel like I have no estrogen, even though I do, I can’t imagine having less!
I also have borderline LDL (103) and my blood pressure, which was always great, is creeping up. I feel like these would both get worse. 2% difference doesn’t seem worth it to me, it’s funny how we all see things differently! The radiologist even told me that I could skip radiation and have about a 15-20% chance of recurrence in 10 years. He said that they wouldn’t recommend radiation for everyone, but that I was healthy and active, so it would be worth it. I don’t see an oncologist until Sept 4, so I have plenty of time to get input and hear other people’s experiences. I still work part time and have to use the hospital where I’m employed for treatment (cheaper). It has a very good reputation, but is suffering from shortage of physicians! Everything has taken forever. I was diagnosed March 21, surgery 5-30, radiation 7-15! The best to you, glad that you can tolerate the treatment.
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my wife had a similar profile, grade 1/ She took letrozole for one year and was miserable. Part of that bone pain came from her acute menopause, having been in the minority and having taken Premarin for 30 years since hysterectomy/oophorectomy. Her pain was severe bone pain. Her medical oncologist at a major university was next to worthless, saying most people didn't have such severe symptoms. But the literature review says 25-35% of women stop the aromatase inhibitors. Just reading this forum it appears that women are getting 'stock' answers instead of some of the individualized care they should be receiving. I've learned more about women's struggles through this site than anyplace else. Osteopenia is a major issue. In my review of the literature, if the risk factors are there biphosphonate therapy started concurrently with the aromatic inhibitors can prevent a lot of the bone loss. My wife's severe osteopenia was treated sloppily. Her risk of compression fractures is higher than her risk of recurrence. Obviously everyone has to make their own decisions but we have been very unhappy with advice received. As a retired surgeon I have been able to help her more than others may be able but I have felt ignored, condescended to and gaslighted. We are getting a second opinion or even just changing our care to Dana Farber next week. Age is an issue, my wife 75 when diagnosed, 77 now. Decisions obviously different for age and tumor type.