← Return to Genetic testing for breast cancer Revised guidelines

Discussion

Genetic testing for breast cancer Revised guidelines

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Jul 26, 2022 | Replies (41)

Comment receiving replies
@mamanutts

Thank you. I usually try to stay away from forums for just that reason and stick to specific trusted sites and do research. Actually this is the first one I am on regarding this. It was a study on cognitive function that brought up those questions/concerns that I found while trying to research the depression/ mental health concerns, as this was the biggest concern for my Dr and naturally me. We have had discussions on some of the other more common side effects, the ones he has seen most often and things he has found to help with them. I wouldnt say Im assuming there would be these effects, I know things vary person to person, more so the question is if one reacts more than the others with mental health and or meds from personal experiences not just the research. ( due to both active or inactive ingredients) so I can be prepared. I feel like a fish out of water because I am always the one with all the bases covered, the ones who has handled all my husbands specialists/ dx's / meds for years, the go to for all the other family members regarding their issues etc and I am not feeling like I have found the same starting ground/ level of knowledge for this.
It sounds as though transitioning from one med to another is fairly simple and not uncommon, including going from the non steroidal (anastozole etc) to the steroidal (exemestane) so I will take that knowledge and proceed from there while I continue my research and education into all this. Again thank you for taking the time to respond. Im a more me this morning, less emotional/exhausted than by the time I posted last night And I apologize to all for the mis posted post. I did look to see if there was a way to delete and repost in the proper thread but did not see one, and I didnt want to have the same post on 2 threads.

Jump to this post


Replies to "Thank you. I usually try to stay away from forums for just that reason and stick..."

PM'ing you @mamanutts

There are several threads on Mayo Connect dealing wiith aromatase inhibitors and many posts that cite supporting studies (so not only anecdotal, though any pattern of anecdotal reporting is worth a consideration in my opinion, but just a "consideration").

I have two friends who took aromatase inhibitors for 5 years with no cognitive effects that they, or their friends, noticed. The drugs do have side effects that need some attention, like accelerated loss of bone density as estrogen production is blocked so the 'estrogen shield' that women still producing estrogen have is lost. So it's a good idea to have a current DEXA so bone density can be monitored more closely and addressed if necessary.

I hope you ask your oncologist for a list of every kind of support available for cancer patients. There usually a lot, especially for breast cancer survivors. You have a lot of responsibilities and deserve all the help you can get and it's out there. Some will be online or by phone but nonetheless valuable.