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Decide against aromatase inhibitors?

Posted by ruffianfan55 @ruffianfan55, Jul 2, 2025

I have DCIS ER+PR+, stage 2, treated with lumpectomy(clear margins) and radiation. I’m 70 and am leaning towards not taking aromatase inhibitors since they only lower the risk of recurrence by 2%. Has anyone else decided the same and do they regret it?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Breast Cancer Support Group.

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katrina123 | @katrina123 | Jan 4 12:45pm
In reply to @geet69 "I am 71, was diagnosed 30 yrs ago with BC in left breast. Had surgery/ radiation/chemo...." + (show)
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I am 71, was diagnosed 30 yrs ago with BC in left breast. Had surgery/ radiation/chemo. In 2022 I was diagnosed with DCIS in same breast. Had mastectomy/reconstruction. In 2025 a red bump appeared on the left breast. Was diagnosed as a benign cyst. But I asked my plastic surgeon to do a biopsy, turns out it was cancer . Just finished surgery/ radiation/chemo.
I see my oncologist this week. I know she will be pushing for AIs. I am not fully on board. I've done my homework and it seems that the potential side effects can be harsh and risky.
Chemo has left with me neuropathy in my feet, a change in my vision, hair loss and terrible fatigue.
I recognize that a 3 times cancer diagnosis makes me a candidate for AIs, but I'm more interested in my quality of life. Living with pain and other bad side effects is not what I want.
Has anyone said no to AIs? What were your reasons? What you are doing to stay on top of your health with regards to potential recurrence?

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I said no to AI's in 2020 after a lumpectomy and 4 weeks of radiation because I had horrible joint pain. In 2024 I was diagnosed with a different breast cancer in my other breast followed by another lumpectomy and another 4 weeks of radiation. I still do not take the AI's. But I am now 80 years old, and I just had a clear breast MRI. I think my decision would have been different if I had been younger when diagnosed with breast cancer. This is a difficult decision, and everyone needs to try to figure out what is best for your own circumstances. There are many women on this site who have not had a difficult time on AI's.

I am so glad that you spoke up for yourself after being wrongly diagnosed with a benign cyst. I also spoke up after a mammogram that did not indicate a breast cancer. I have dense breasts, so I asked for an ultrasound, and they discovered a very rare cancer.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jan 4 1:46pm
In reply to @geet69 "I am 71, was diagnosed 30 yrs ago with BC in left breast. Had surgery/ radiation/chemo...." + (show)
Profile picture for geet69 @geet69

I am 71, was diagnosed 30 yrs ago with BC in left breast. Had surgery/ radiation/chemo. In 2022 I was diagnosed with DCIS in same breast. Had mastectomy/reconstruction. In 2025 a red bump appeared on the left breast. Was diagnosed as a benign cyst. But I asked my plastic surgeon to do a biopsy, turns out it was cancer . Just finished surgery/ radiation/chemo.
I see my oncologist this week. I know she will be pushing for AIs. I am not fully on board. I've done my homework and it seems that the potential side effects can be harsh and risky.
Chemo has left with me neuropathy in my feet, a change in my vision, hair loss and terrible fatigue.
I recognize that a 3 times cancer diagnosis makes me a candidate for AIs, but I'm more interested in my quality of life. Living with pain and other bad side effects is not what I want.
Has anyone said no to AIs? What were your reasons? What you are doing to stay on top of your health with regards to potential recurrence?

Jump to this post

@geet69, your question is commonly asked here on Mayo Clinic Connect. To help you connect with others, I moved your post to this active discussion:

-Decide against aromatase inhibitors?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/decide-against-aromatase-inhibitors/

You may also wish to review these related discussions:
- Aromatase Inhibitors: Did you decide to go on them or not?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/arimidex/
- Aromatase Inhibitors: How to choose and manage side effects?https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/ai-inhibitors/

You are asking good questions to have an informed discussion with your oncologist. Here are some things to consider.
1. Some women experience no or few manageable side effects. Forums like this one can give a biased perspective since women who have no or few side effects are not seeking answers to help with the side effects.
2. It is a personal choice.
3. Not everyone has the same risk potential.
4. There are several AI options. If one drug causes unwanted side effects, sometimes changing the AI brand can help.

To help you base your decision on YOUR risk profile and the side effects YOU may or may not experience, I would ask the oncologist questions like:
1. What is my risk of recurrence with and without taking an aromatase inhibitor?
2. Can I try an AI and stop if I find the side effects affect my quality of life (as defined by me)?
3. Can switching to another AI help? Or switching to another hormone therapy medication? See all types here: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/hormone-therapy-for-breast-cancer/about/pac-20384943

I'm confident that your doctor will be interested your personal preferences to help come up with the best treatment plan for you. It's not an easy decision to make.

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