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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Breast Cancer | Last Active: Nov 21 7:48am | Replies (1935)

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@tenayalake86

I had a lumpectomy and a low enough oncotype that I didn't need chemo. I have been prescribed anastrozole, and have researched the side effects. I am most worried about the mental deterioration and memory loss side effects. I don't know the percentage of women who experience these frightening side-effects. I don't even know how I would know if my cognitive abilities and memory are being affected. It's easier to diagnose the bone loss issue if they happen and I believe there are therapies to deal with bone loss. But I don't like the idea of cognition and memory loss and it seems to be one of the delayed effects that don't happen until you've been on anastrozole for a while. I think the same is true of any AI therapy. I will be discussing this with my oncologist next month. I have not yet had any hair loss and the hot flashes are not bad. I'd get more information from your doctor if I were you. That's what I'm planning to do. Good luck.

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Replies to "I had a lumpectomy and a low enough oncotype that I didn't need chemo. I have..."

BC survivors often have tough decisions to make about their future health and quality of life.

I choose to take Anastrozole and I have tolerated it very well for aspects that I can observe. My primary focus is on recurrence prevention. That said I am also focused on mitigating unobservable potential side effects of bone loss with nutrition and weight bearing exercises and nutrition for possible cholesterol elevation. So far things are ok.

If your oncologist feels that AI will limit your recurrence odds I recommend that you try it before assuming that you will have negative QOLife reactions. It’s a daily oral med that can be stopped at any time if it’s intolerable. 🌸