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Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?
Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 12, 2023 | Replies (1190)Comment receiving replies
You might want to do a Breast Cancer Index test which tests the effectiveness of aromatase inhibitors for you. It actually is used to help with the decision whether to continue after 5 years but still it might help you. The various tests, Oncotype Dx, Mammaprint, Breast Cancer Index and Prosigna all seem to have different results for the same individual. I have had all but Mammaprint. Oncotype Dx had me at low risk (lower than you) but the others had me at high risk. However the BCI showed no benefit from AI's, specifically after 5 years but presumably earlier (I completed 5 years of Femara).
I already had osteoporosis when I started Femara and yes it got worse. The first year there was a dip in bone density then bone loss went back to the normal rate. I should have been on a med but for various reasons docs didn't put me on anything for bones. I am now on Tymlos.
The side effects of AI's are overblown by the Internet because people who don't have them tend not to post. I think it is distressing that so many are discouraged. I found that as long as I walked 45 minutes, the joint pain was fine. Clearly reducing estrogen has effects over time. Hot flashes happen at first but for me faded. For me they really were not bad at all.
The BCI folks told me that their test measures things differently from Oncotype. They compared it to counting number of cars versus speed. I do think that the Oncotype is useful in showing that an AI can nearly halve risk. With a low Oncotype that may not seem like a huge benefit but I felt 3% was well worth it, and in fact, the other tests consider lower scores to be high risk.
Replies to "You might want to do a Breast Cancer Index test which tests the effectiveness of aromatase..."
I have been on Anastrozle for 6 months and was congratulating myself on lack of significant problems when that all changed 1 month ago. It slowly began with minor dizziness and rapidly accelerated to a doze or many more times a day when I feel as if I will blackout. Occasionally, my heart feel like it is pounding in my chest. I should relate that I am 77 and util My BC diagnosis, was blessed to have great health and was not on any medication. I went to my GP a week ago and requested a Lipid profile. My last was 2 years ago and excellent numbers. No longer; LDDL nearly 250. BP 149 over 99. Seven months ago 130 over 80. For years i have weighed between 102 and 106. Now gaining weight at almost 2 pounds a month. I related to my oncologist my concern about taking this drug. While I did not have heart problem, I related that my son died of a massive heart at age 54; my mother also died in her sleep at age 61, my mother’s brother had his first heart attack at age 39 and the list I gave him goes on. My GP said she could write me a prescription for a statin; however, there is no evidence to suggest at my age it would help. I have an appointment in 2 weeks to receive a heart monitor to wear for 2 days. Results will take 2 weeks. I have not contacted my oncologist. I am thinking of visit a different oncologist, a cardiologist and a doctor of geriatric medicine because my current doc is huge on the med. I forgot to mention having hot flashes, which seem more intense but not more frequent.
My ANCO score is 4 with Anastrozle therapy. From the beginning of taking the drug, I was aware it could cause heart problems in elderly patients with a history of familial heart disease. I am extremely upset that the many years I worked very hard to stay heart healthy have been all for nothing after only 6 months on Anastrozle, if that is indeed the case. There is little study done on this in the aged. Thanks to every one for posting; every comment has been helpful.
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@windyshores My onco ordered the OncotypeDX. The hospital sent the tissue directly to Oncotype after the surgery in October. The Breast Cancer Index test would have been helpful too. I wish I'd known about the various tests earlier. Looking back to the diagnosis last fall...well I was in shock. No one in my family has had cancer other than father who died of prostate cancer the second time he got it. I was blindsided by the bad biopsy and only now realizing how much more I'll need to consider going forward in order to feel some confidence in a personal decision tree. I just keep adding to the list of questions I plan to ask the oncologist this week.