Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?

Here are some additional resources to help understand the Oncotype DX tests and calculating risk of recurrence.

- Oncotype DX Genomic Tests https://www.breastcancer.org/symptoms/testing/types/oncotype_dx
Excerpt:
"Most early-stage, estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancers are treated with hormonal therapies, such as an aromatase inhibitor or tamoxifen, after surgery to reduce the risk that the cancer will come back in the future. Whether or not chemotherapy is also necessary has been an area of uncertainty for patients and their doctors.

If you’ve been diagnosed with early-stage, estrogen-receptor-positive, HER2-negative breast cancer, the Oncotype DX Breast Recurrence Score Test can help you and your doctor make a more informed decision about whether or not you will benefit from chemotherapy."

- Online Calculator Helps Predict Risk of Hormone-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer Returning Elsewhere in the Body https://www.breastcancer.org/research-news/online-tool-predicts-hr-pos-recurrence-risk
Excerpt:
"Studies have shown that estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer has a more drawn-out risk of recurrence compared to estrogen-receptor-negative disease. About 50% of estrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer recurrences happen 5 or more years after the initial diagnosis. Most estrogen-receptor-negative disease recurrences happen within the first 5 years after initial diagnosis."
"Research has shown that about 25% of women who are prescribed hormonal therapy to reduce the risk of recurrence after breast cancer surgery either don’t start taking the medicine or stop taking it early. In many cases, this is because of side effects."

You're correct. There are 3 different types of hormonal therapy medicines used in the treatment of hormone-receptor-positive breast cancers.:
1. aromatase inhibitors:
- Arimidex (anastrozole)
- Aromasin (exemestane)
- Femara (letrozole)

2. SERMs (selective estrogen receptor modulators):
- tamoxifen
- Evista (raloxifene)
- Fareston (toremifene)

3. ERDs (estrogen receptor downregulators):
- Faslodex (fulvestrant)

Tamoxifen is not an aromatase inhibitor.

Yes it is true. Read your Oncotype report. It says so right in the report. The score and risk are not the same number btw. Nevertheless, risk doubles without taking the aromatase inhibitor.

Thank you for confirming the research. There has been a lot of research on aromatase inhibitors, thankfully. I personally took two. Tamoxifen and anastrazole.
@rbaltzley if you are interested in reading any, here is a list. I don’t disagree with not taking it, I believe everyone should make their own choices about treatments. I do disagree with misinforming about there not being any research, as this could interfere with someone else making an informed decision. I hope you understand.
https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer/facts-statistics/research-studies/topics/aromatase-inhibitors-for-early-breast-cancer/

Mine was 12, but I dont believe thats true that it is doubled.

Thank you. I haven on all of them. The Tamoxifen is my last resort.

I agree it is a personal choice. I was on Letrozole and had horrible pain after a couple of months. I am currently off of everything and will discuss another AI with oncology and see what they say. I was on Tamoxifen for a year and a half and had not issues with that. So it is all an individual experience.

Did you have an Oncotyype done? Your risk is double without the meds, so you can do the math. That was researched.

Hi I’m on Letrozole and doing well. I actually have very minimal side effects. It is also an AI so maybe you should talk to oncologist about changing pills.
Good luck…