Concerned about the side effects of anastrozole

Posted by tinalove @tinalove, Jan 31, 2016

I completed all treatments for breast cancer but now I am supposed to take hormone blocker, named anastrozole. im concerned about the side effects. Has anyone here taken it and did anyone have hair loss?

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elizm | @elizm | Apr 2, 2019

@gwinter
A year-and-a-half ago, I might have remembered the differences, but I think it has to do with whether you're ER+ or ER-. I also noted that, on the Mammaprint report, it was noting some stats for those who are HER2-, and I'm HER2+....

francine6829 | @francine6829 | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@francine6829 @kathyomaha55 It's was the MammaPrint 70-Gene Risk of Recurrence which essentially told me that I..." + (show)

Elizm, did you also have the oncocyte test?

elizm | @elizm | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @francine6829 "Elizm, did you also have the oncocyte test?" + (show)

@francine6829
As noted earlier, I believe that the OncotypeDX is only viable for those who are ER- (and I'm ER+).

kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@francine6829 As noted earlier, I believe that the OncotypeDX is only viable for those who are..." + (show)

No I was ER+ and had the oncotype test. I was a 22. So based on that, (middle range result) then chemo does not improve the survival rate.

karendb | @karendb | Apr 2, 2019

Hi. I don't want to appear dumb but what is an oncotype test and how do you know if you had one? I was er+ as well.

elizm | @elizm | Apr 2, 2019

@karendb
You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the treatment plan was chemo... and these tests potentially can tell you that you're a good candidate (because of high rate of recurrence) or not to have the chemo. They basically test a sample of your tumor (following lumpectomy or mastectomy) for various genes.

karendb | @karendb | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@karendb You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the..." + (show)

Thank you Elizm. I've just completed chemo and radiation a month ago so was a bit confused.

sparklegram | @sparklegram | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @elizm "@karendb You're not at all dumb. Some of us panicked when told that part of the..." + (show)

@karendb - Karen, you are not dumb! There is so much technical information that happens plus the emotional side of your diagnosis. It's truly awesome we have this group to help us understand and to give support.

karendb | @karendb | Apr 2, 2019

In reply to @sparklegram "@karendb - Karen, you are not dumb! There is so much technical information that happens plus..." + (show)

@sparklegram, thank you.

kathyomaha55 | @kathyomaha55 | Apr 3, 2019

In reply to @karendb "Thank you Elizm. I've just completed chemo and radiation a month ago so was a bit..." + (show)

It is a gene test of your particular tumor. It has a score of 1 to 50. if your score is low 26 then you do need chemo, in the middle was a "grey" area. I was a 22, IN June of 2017, they released a 10 year study of 8,000 women. Based on that study the Middle range, doing chemo for them, did not improve their survival rates. Since I was in the middle at 22, my oncologist said I did not need chemo. Previous to the study, I would have under gone Chemo. Since you had chemo already, I guess either you had the test or your doctor just decided you should take it. Anastrozole is a Form of chemo - by suppressing Hormones, it reduces the chance your tumor will re-occur. I agree more information helps us all.