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Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole
Breast Cancer | Last Active: Nov 21 7:48am | Replies (1935)Comment receiving replies
My oncologist has told me that the newest drug Letrozole has the fewest side effects. I want to know why the oncologists are not monitoring estrogen levels. I had to ask my gyno to take my blood. So, now my estrogen is zero. What is the number that is safe for estrogen and to not have a cancer reoccurence?
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@francine6829
I asked my oncologist about why blood levels of estrogen were not tested, and he said that the results were meaningless because it can change several times a day. As to recurrence... AIs are not guarantees... but they have proven to be extremely helpful in preventing recurrence because they block estrogen, and certain cancer cells need estrogen in order to grow. Exercise, losing weight, eating a healthy diet, giving up alcohol, etc. also are helpful in avoiding recurrence. HER2 status can increase recurrence. There are dozens of factors which contribute to risk. Unfortunately, this is not a zero sum game... it's more complex than anyone currently understands. One's oncologist can only give his/her best informed opinion of an individual's case.