Looking for research re: taking AI drugs vs not taking them

@ruffianfan55

I really like your breastfeeding post which is encouraging.
I breastfed 17 months.

Tying into all this is the type of BC and does that type tend to re-occur. That is the crux of it combined with the breastfeeding.

Please post if you find any more information.
There are a lot of folks who did breastfeed so that may answer this idea or not.

I have never seen that post mentioned on the BC site that I use.
Interesting question.
(Just a thought….Prior generations who all breastfed still got BC. Then there were no easy cures and probably no notations of how many did not get BC again.)

@ruffianfan55

Here is the reply from MyBCTeam site.

MyBCTeam
Does breastfeeding affect breast cancer risk?

“Breastfeeding is associated with a slightly lower risk of developing breast cancer compared to not breastfeeding. Women who breastfeed for at least one year gain the most protective benefit.

The protective effect may occur because:
- Breastfeeding delays menstrual periods from returning, reducing exposure to hormones
- Breast cells actively producing milk are less likely to undergo cancerous changes
- Women often maintain healthier habits while breastfeeding, such as better diet and avoiding alcohol and smoking

However, breastfeeding doesn't guarantee prevention. Many women who breastfed still develop breast cancer, and the risk reduction is described as "slight." Regarding recurrence and metastasis:

The search results don't contain specific data about breastfeeding's relationship to cancer recurrence or metastatic breast cancer. About 30 percent of women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer later develop metastatic disease, regardless of breastfeeding history.

If you're looking for more personalized insights about other members' experiences with breastfeeding and breast cancer, connecting with others on MyBCTeam might provide valuable perspectives from those who've been through similar situations.“

I was stage 2A. 4years out I getmmograms and an every 6 month check up with my oncologist. I got peripheral neuropathy from the chemo and I can't drive. Otherwise,I'm in good health. I try to stay busy. I recently took a 24 hour trip home from Portland in coach on the train. I breast fed my two youngest children.

@cancerstage1
I appreciate your viewpoint! I am 72 & recently diagnosed with stage 1a ILC & had a successful lumpectomy. I'm leaning toward 5-day radiation but no drugs. I am vegan & work out regularly, no alcohol or cigarettes. I agree that more emphasis should be placed on the quality of life for women of different life stages when recommending treatment options. Many of us older ladies prefer to enjoy our golden years fully, even if that means a somewhat increased risk. It's an individual choice. Best wishes to you on your journey!

I started treatment for Stage 1, Grade 3 TNBC in early 2023. Finished lumpectomy, chemo, proton radiation. Tumor came back in same location 6 months later. December 2024, I started Keynote 522 chemo and Keytruda and finished in June 2025. I had mastectomy in July. I had to quit Keytruda as it was attacking my gut. The pathology from the surgery suggested the TNBC was gone, but remaining cancer was now ER+. I started on AI Letrozole, but after one month asked to be switched because of terrible side effects (joint pain, bone ache, dry mouth, depression). I will start Exemestane in two weeks instead. I am being treated at Dana Farber in Boston so fairly confident with doctors, but I did ask about the tradeoff of feeling so awful from the AI drugs and what percent it decreased my chances of recurrence. I'm a very young 74, very active and was walking plus lots of yoga throughout my whole treatment. With the Letrozole I could hardly get up and down and started tearing things. My doctor thinks I should be on AI because of my fast recurrence. I'd like to hear other stories and links to research as I'm not sure I want to live with the side effects of AI meds if they do the same as Letrozole. Thank you.

I was Dx with DCIS at age 75. I had a lumpectomy and 30 treatments of radiation. I refused to take all the AI drugs due to the side effects. The oncologist was not happy but said she respects my ability to choose. At my age I prefer a better quality of life then to suffer with the side affects of those drugs. I made a choice and am willing to take the risk of recurrence. Do what is best for you.

@peggydobbs This video was fantastic. Thank you so much for posting it.!

@keywestsj Agree. Very informative.

@beckyboston

I’m really out on the fence with taking any of these medication‘s. I have E&P positive HER2 negative with a 1.2 cm tumor that I had a lumpectomy for in July. Onco score 3 KI 67 10- brca Neg N Nodes- I thought I would be done did five day target radiation and of course drs they’re telling me to take hormone receptor pills which all I’m hearing about are very bad side effects!! radiation stopped in October almost the end of November and I’m not really sure I want to even try one of those pills I think at this stage of the game 2025 yes doctors and scientists have made great discoveries but what kind of discovery on hormone pills you have to take 10 pills to try and offset
Side effects!!? I salute all of all of the warriors that are going through such horrible horrible times with breast cancer or any cancer I hope one day we could all see that they’ll be one shot and it’s gone.