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Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

Breast Cancer | Last Active: May 12, 2023 | Replies (1190)
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@tenayalake86

My oncologist quotes very different percentages. In late May, I had an invasive DCIS lumpectomy with a lymph node removal that was negative. Surgeon says they got it all. My oncologist says if I don't take AI [anastrozole] I have a 7% chance of a recurrence. If I do take it for 5 years, I have a 3% [absolute] chance of a recurrence. This is making me re-think whether I want to risk the long term serious side effects like bone thinning, cognition and memory issues which can show up after 18 months to 2 years. I am going to discuss it with the oncologist in a few weeks during my next appointment.

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Replies to "My oncologist quotes very different percentages. In late May, I had an invasive DCIS lumpectomy with..."
windyshores | @windyshores | Nov 6, 2022

I cannot common in DCIS invasive, so my comments are for IDC itself:

I don't personally know anyone who has cognition or memory issues on an AI, and I don't seem them listed as side effects.

I had severe osteoporosis, as I have written previously, and did 5 years on letrozole. Most people also take a biphosphonate during the AI treatment but I was unable to. I am now on Tymlos.

I would rather deal with some bone loss than cancer. The Breast Cancer Index, at the time I had that test, considered any risk over 4.7% as "high." It is up to your doc and you whether 3% versus 7% is significant.

Another factor might be your ER score. Since your Oncotype was low, I assume your ER% was high.

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