Deciding whether to go on abemaciclib (brand name Verzenio)

Can you explain why they asked you to take this as well as anastrozole if you don’t have advanced cancer or a high risk for recurrence?

Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious

Have estrogen positive her2 negative breast cancer. I have been in anastrozole for about a year. Had a follow up appt with hematology doc. They are asking me taking verzenio fir 3 years on top of what I am taking now since the fda has approved. Has any one been asked to take this?

Why did you chose not to take hormone therapy? Curious

In my particular case it had little benefit vs the risks. The below were my numbers based on 10 years of therapy for 15 year overall survival. It was an easy decision for me on that one. I used this calculator
https://breast.predict.nhs.uk/tool
+ Hormone therapy 1.4% (0.4% – 1.6%)

Hope that helps 🙂

I wish it was that simple.
Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is?
Mine says no hormone therapy either but then why do all medical oncologists recommend it pretty strongly? Confused.

Have estrogen positive her2 negative breast cancer. I have been in anastrozole for about a year. Had a follow up appt with hematology doc. They are asking me taking verzenio fir 3 years on top of what I am taking now since the fda has approved. Has any one been asked to take this?

I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which I was prescribed Anastrozole. My onco was persistent about getting me into a Kisqali (Ribociclib) study for women in my situation (high risk but no metastis) that I hesitantly signed up for. In 2021 I had eye infections in both eyes, 6 months apart, that left permanent ulcers on my corneas so am now legally blind. I have been fitted with scleral lenses that really help with vision but have lots of issues themselves. I immediately stopped taking the Kisqali after the 2nd infection. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bc in Dec 2022 and started a regimen of Fasoldex, Xgeva and Verzenio in January 2023. Diarrhea with the Verzenio has been problematic. More bad news this June, a pet scan showed the Verzenio was no longer effective at keeping the cancerous cells in my lung at bay so I am being scheduled for chemo treatment using Abraxane with the hopes this will keep the cancer from advancing. All this to say if your cancer is not metastatic and you are not high risk, my personal feeling is to not add the risk of infection and side effects of Verzenio or any similar drug.

I wish it was that simple.
Could you tell me what your specific diagnosis is?
Mine says no hormone therapy either but then why do all medical oncologists recommend it pretty strongly? Confused.

I was first diagnosed with HR+HER2- bc in 2018. Double mastectomy, chemo and radiation after which I was prescribed Anastrozole. My onco was persistent about getting me into a Kisqali (Ribociclib) study for women in my situation (high risk but no metastis) that I hesitantly signed up for. In 2021 I had eye infections in both eyes, 6 months apart, that left permanent ulcers on my corneas so am now legally blind. I have been fitted with scleral lenses that really help with vision but have lots of issues themselves. I immediately stopped taking the Kisqali after the 2nd infection. Unfortunately I was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic bc in Dec 2022 and started a regimen of Fasoldex, Xgeva and Verzenio in January 2023. Diarrhea with the Verzenio has been problematic. More bad news this June, a pet scan showed the Verzenio was no longer effective at keeping the cancerous cells in my lung at bay so I am being scheduled for chemo treatment using Abraxane with the hopes this will keep the cancer from advancing. All this to say if your cancer is not metastatic and you are not high risk, my personal feeling is to not add the risk of infection and side effects of Verzenio or any similar drug.