Decide against aromatase inhibitors?

To Ruffianfan55: You say AIs "only lower the risk of recurrence by 2%." Please, could you provide a link to the source of this information?
I've found it hard to get statistics on this topic. Many thanks!

The risk lowering effect of aromatase inhibitors is on a case by case basis. It is best to ask your oncologist what your personal risk is, and how much the AI will lower it. I think it is frustrating for those of us with breast cancer to not be able to find a universal number for risk. But just inquire a little further and the information will be helpful.

A friend of mine took AI for 8 years. Two years after she stopped her breast cancer had spread to her lungs. She was treated and at this time is cancer free. Her oncologist believed that since the cancer did not spread for 8 years while she took the drug it would be best to return to taking the AI. It obviously was effective for her.

I was told by my mayo medical oncologist that the risk factor improvement is still somewhat unknown because the studies are still in progress. (ie people are still on it, year 7-8 so no info on year 10) He said all indications are the positives will continue to increase as they have seen good results so far.

Well, this is good news to hear from the Mayo Clinic.
I am very concerned, about 2 major side effects from Anastrozole: Developing osteoporosis and since I have ischemic heart disease, my angina increasing or this AI will induce a heart attack or stroke.

Did you have oncotype diagnostic testing on your tumor(s) done?

This will give you a "profile' on the risk of reoccurrence. But nothing is absolutely guarantee when it comes to possible reoccurrence...we simply have to be proactive the best way we can me. And pray.

Hi..I had breast cancer recurrance after mascetomy 2 years ago ..did not take aromatase then it spread to my bones..or previously when I had a lumpectomy years ago..
I am taking it now and it works only wish I had before ..there are some side effects that you can counter act with exercise/ diet/less stress ...acupunture etc .hope this helps your decision..

I used the Sloan Kettering nonogram that is available online. With lumpectomy only, the chance of recurrence is around 20%, radiation lowers it to less than 5% and endocrine therapy to 2-3%. My radiation oncologist said the same thing. It is definitely an individual decision, if I were 50-60 yrs old,
I would definitely take it, but I’ll be 80 in 10 years if I live that long! My radiation oncologist said that I could skip radiation if I wanted to, but since I am healthy and active, he recommended it.

Perhaps good decision to do radiation. I am 87 and healthy otherwise. Cancer in left breast 2020 and right breast 2024. Had radiation both times 5 weeks for each. First on Tamoxifen and Anastrozole two years now. I think they were separate cancers. Not sure, but I think a recurrence would be in the same breast. I wish I could stop the Anastrozole as I lose hair and have borderline osteoporosis. I suspect this is from the
Anastrozole. But my doc says two more years reduces the risk more. That will be 7 years combined with
Tamox. and Anastro.
You are a spring chicken if you are now 70! Best of luck.

I too am concerned about cardiac issues with the AI's; my risk is with hypertension, and when trying 2 different AI's (Letrozole & Anastrozole) I watched over several months as my numbers increased requiring more BP meds. Then it suddenly changed to my having Labile Hypertension, where it goes extremely high to very low. I'm 75. So have gotten off of them & am now on Fluvestrant injections, which is shrinking my chest wall tumor by 2/3 so far.
This article mentions CVD risks with AI's: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9181297/
Hard decisions, I know.
Hoping for the best for you! Patty