@callalloo the numbers on the various tests weren't drastically different but one test will say a 5% risk is low and one will say it is high. Just to be clear, Oncotype DX is for years 1-5, and says whether chemo is needed, and Breast Cancer Index was studied for years 5-10 and says whether extended anti-estrogen meds are of benefit.

AI's aren't known to cause DVT's and my cholesterol did not go up. At all. I had osteoporosis already when I started Femara. Seven years later I had a fracture and am on Tymlos but if I had started a year earlier I would be fine, and if I had been taking Reclast with Femara I would have been even better. In fact, Reclast and Femara together are strong protection because Reclast is used to keep cancer out of bones or for treatment when cancer is in the bones.

People seem to go through so much angst about starting aromatase inhibitors. I think this is where the Internet really does a lot of harm. Of course some people have bad side effects- every med causes side effects for some. I did fine and so did the 4 friends I know who were on them. Some had no complaints at all. I would go ahead and try one. You can start alternate days if you prefer, per my doc.

That difference in risk, basically 3% versus 6% is actually the difference between low and high risk on some of the other tests. But yes, every woman has a one in 8 chance of getting breast cancer in the first place. That is different from the risk now that we already have it, because now stage 4 spread is a possibility.