Any long-term success stories from those NOT taking hormone therapy?

To lj22,
I thought I'd chime in with my so far, so good cancer journey. In July 2020 at the age of 70, I was diagnosed with breast cancer - Stage 1, Grade 1, HR/PR+, Ki67 less than 10 and no lymph node involvement with clear margins after lumpectomy. I had 16 rounds of radiation. Our cancers were very similar. I also have osteopenia. My endocrinologist said to take whatever medicine was best for my cancer, and he would take care of my bones. He said that I would be needing medicine anyway because I was getting older and my osteopenia would progress to osteoporosis. I took anastrozole every other day for a month, every day for 7 weeks, and then stopped. I had severe side effects resulting a very poor quality of life. I decided not to try exemestane against the strong urging of my oncologist, who did not acknowledge the side effects that I reported, as being caused by anastrozole. About a month after stopping anastrozole the side effects had subsided. I walk every day and try to eat a good diet. My osteopenia has not progressed to osteopenia, as my endocrinologist had predicted. It has been nearly 5 years, since I stopped taking anastrozole. I feel well and am enjoying life.
There are some studies that are finding that the current treatment of early stage breast cancer may be overly aggressive in older women. We must each advocate for ourselves and listen to our bodies. It's true that many women tolerate these drugs well, but many do not. Inform yourself as much as you can. This forum is a very good resource for helping us learn about cancer. Thank you to all who post with your wise words and insight. I wish you all well.

@brooklyn22 I'll just say what you've probably heard a million time already...most women do fine on hormone blockers. It's the minority of women who suffer very real, awful side effects that speak out in online discussions about their issues. And yes, it sounds scary. The women who are doing ok have largely moved on & are out living their lives. I've just started taking 10 mg (half-dose) of Tamoxifen & doing fine so far. I'd suggest you at least try a hormone blocker & see how you do. They do help keep the cancer away, that's a proven fact.

@jmab so you’re saying hormone receptors pills keep cancer away if you take them as opposed to not?

@jmab so you’re saying hormone receptors pills keep cancer away if you take them as opposed to not?

@brooklyn22 Just to add in. If the question is do Aromatase Inhibitors such as letrozole and others keep estrogen positive breast cancer from coming back and/or spreading--the answer is yes. Tamoxifen does the same. The odds are different for each person. Or are you asking something different? I've been on letrozole for 3 1/2 years. No side effects. My rare aggressive cancer has not reappeared--a good sign the letrozole is working. (I did not have chemo due to kidney disease). Hope this clarifies.

@mir123 Hi, I am so glad to hear that you have no side effect with Letrozole. May I ask how many years you need to take? As you mentioned that you had rare aggressive one So I guess you may need to take up to 10 years? My one was not aggressive that I need to take 5 years. I am on only 6 months with mild side effect and hoping no major one for much longer years. I mean at least for 3 years.

@brooklyn22 Just to add in. If the question is do Aromatase Inhibitors such as letrozole and others keep estrogen positive breast cancer from coming back and/or spreading--the answer is yes. Tamoxifen does the same. The odds are different for each person. Or are you asking something different? I've been on letrozole for 3 1/2 years. No side effects. My rare aggressive cancer has not reappeared--a good sign the letrozole is working. (I did not have chemo due to kidney disease). Hope this clarifies.

@mir123 hi asking percentage rate of taking Aromatase Inhibitors vs Not- I’m going by the science genomic test results my Onco Score (3) Ki67-10 very slow growing I finished radiation Oct ‘25 had post Mamography last month then will do again in July - turned 71 in Dec BRCA Neg- I honestly thought once I had lumpectomy radiation I’m done with the nightmare - I’m still researching natural for E&P positive HER2 - I hear grape seed very good proven - I wish us all good luck in whichever path we are on.

@songfamily2025 It's a good question but I have no clear answer. I'm guessing you are right as regards ten years. With each passing year, my oncologist explained, my life expectancy looks better. The two year and then the five year mark both bode well. I don't mind being on letrozole at all. My bone density is still normal. The truth is, I'm very grateful this drug is keeping me going. I'm almost 72, and other co-morbities have made me face mortality in a way that isn't bad at all. I'm really enjoying life, a day at a time. Wishing you all the best, too, in every arena.