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After breast cancer: 12 years out, questions about recurrence
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 1, 2022 | Replies (79)Comment receiving replies
I'm kind of on the same page. I declined anastrozole but know there are people who have good reasons to take it, understand how it works and will keep a hawkeye on bone density and basic blood work and tumor markers to minimize risks. And who tolerate it well. And some people who don't tolerate it well but do fine with a different aromatase inhibitor.
Replies to "I'm kind of on the same page. I declined anastrozole but know there are people who..."
Thank you for the valuable information. please clarify what are tumor markers? My oncologist has not mentioned this. It sounds like a test other than blood work which I do have done every 3 months for 1 year. Thank you.
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@callalloo: I see that you mentioned tumor makers. I brought this up with my oncologist just a few days ago, and according to her, tumor makers in general are not very accurate. They only “work” in about 60% of people, and elevated tumor markers can be signs of a variety of non-cancer related issues, so not a very useful predictive tool (as compared to PSA test in men - so unfair!!). I held my mother’s hand when she died of MBC at age 73, so I’m a little overly cautious. Even with fairly low onco score I went on Letrozole, and other than bone issues (should I say likely/potential bone issues) I have felt no side effects whatsoever from this medication. Future will tell…… if next DEXA scan in a year is really worrisome, I may discontinue.