Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Could you point me to information about cognitive and memory loss. I have not come across this one in my research travels. That is obviously concerning and I would like to learn more about it. I will discuss with oncologist also. Thank you.

Glad you are tolerating AI well in case you decide to stay the course.

I have not seen cognitive/memory effects listed though it is conceivable lowered estrogen could cause those. I did not experience those at all nor did my friends.

I had a Breast Cancer Index test done that told me risk of recurrence (5.7%, termed "high") and whether continued aromatase inhibitor therapy (letrozole) would be of benefit, and the answer was no. My original ER+ was high at 95% so I was surprised. I wanted to do 7-10 years but went with the BCI, which was black and white yes or no.

ps I would choose a slight effect on memory over cancer spread, though I cannot find any info online on that side effect

This is a recent study. I'm trying to find other sources to post here. If I find others, I will let you know.
https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT05297617?term=arimidex+and+memory+loss&draw=2&rank=1

Here is a study from August 2015.
https://acsjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/cncr.29393

I’ll get started here. Thank you.

Time to kick up the meditation practice which in addition to reducing stress, expands the cognitive function of the brain.

I’m all into mitigating!

@kchiavetta86 I am responding to the 2022 study that you posted first. Please note that the quote that you highlighted concerning evaluation of memory and other cognition pertains to chemo, not aromatase inhibitors like anastrazole:

"The FACT-Cog is a self-assessment questionnaire to estimate memory, attention, concentration, language, and thinking abilities of patients before, during, and after chemotherapy. "

I have read about this study. The study controls for the effects of chemo and of cancer itself (for depression and anxiety for example) in order to more accurately attribute side effects to AI's.

The various side effects are being investigated by the study but that does not mean they are common. They are hypothetical for the study.

Concerning the 2015 study, which has been posted recently by someone else, I urge people to read the entire link. Clearly better studies were needed and are now being done.

Hello beautiful ladies,

I would like to know if you still need to do hormonal treatment if you have double mastectomy. Please share your thoughts. Thank you.

Yes for hormone-positive cancers, hormonal meds are recommended. You do not remove all risk by removing breasts.