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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?

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

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "There were a lot of them. I watched two. One was about different medications for MBC...." + (show)
Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

There were a lot of them. I watched two. One was about different medications for MBC. This looks like a good one! I am going to watch it so thanks 🙂

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I found the complete playlist of all 12 videos from the 2021-2022 EMBRACE Metastatic Breast Cancer Virtual Forum
Click the 1/12 in the upper right corner of the video window to select from the video list.


Thanks for the tip.

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 2, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Is this the video you are referring to @windyshores ? https://youtu.be/1CDU3gg8PN0 Biomarkers for Treatment and Progression..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Is this the video you are referring to @windyshores ?


Biomarkers for Treatment and Progression | 2021-2022 EMBRACE MBC Virtual Forum Series
"Caroline Block, MD, presents practical information on how Dana-Farber oncologists follow patients’ disease progression and work with patients living with metastatic breast cancer to make treatment decisions. Dr. Block covers topics such as scans, blood tests and tumor markers: when, why, and how they are used and the frequencies for each. The discussion includes areas of research including circulating tumor DNA based assays."

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There were a lot of them. I watched two. One was about different medications for MBC. This looks like a good one! I am going to watch it so thanks 🙂

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1 reply
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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2022
In reply to @windyshores "I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In..." + (show)
Profile picture for windyshores @windyshores

I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In the meantime we can look forward to Colleen's answer 🙂

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Is this the video you are referring to @windyshores ?


Biomarkers for Treatment and Progression | 2021-2022 EMBRACE MBC Virtual Forum Series
"Caroline Block, MD, presents practical information on how Dana-Farber oncologists follow patients’ disease progression and work with patients living with metastatic breast cancer to make treatment decisions. Dr. Block covers topics such as scans, blood tests and tumor markers: when, why, and how they are used and the frequencies for each. The discussion includes areas of research including circulating tumor DNA based assays."

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1 reply
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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | May 2, 2022
In reply to @adanab "I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and..." + (show)
Profile picture for adanab @adanab

I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

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There are many factors that contribute to the treatment protocol that is selected for YOU.
- Research and the latest evidence-based information available
- Your specific tumor type
- Your current medical status and ability to manage the side effects of some treatments
- Your medicial history and co-conditions, i.e., diabetes, autoimmune disease, bone health, etc.
- Your medication allergies
- Your previous cancer history
- Your family history and genetic history
- Your preferences, i.e., which side effects impact your quality of life negatively and which ones you may be able to tolerate.
- The goal of treatment: cure, control, comfort
- Insurance coverage and financial considerations
- etc.

This is why treatment may not be the same as another woman with the same cancer type. It depends.

You may also find this article from Mayo Clinic helpful in understanding the valuable contributions patients make in their treatment decisions:

- Cancer treatment decisions: 5 steps to help you decide https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047350

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1 reply
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ldavids2 | @ldavids2 | May 2, 2022
In reply to @danielle0313 "Hi there, I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I..." + (show)
Profile picture for danielle0313 @danielle0313

Hi there,
I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I bought some years ago while visiting Paris and use it all the time (got a second time on Amazon as well). I use it on my chapped lips and a little goes a LONG way. I attached some photos of the description.
I hope you feel better!!

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Thanks so much for your recommendation! I will definitely try it - I feel like I've already tried absolutely everything else.

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adanab | @adanab | May 2, 2022

Thanks - those YouTube videos from EMBRACE are helpful and I appreciate that you mentioned them.

Adana

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windyshores | @windyshores | May 2, 2022
In reply to @adanab "I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and..." + (show)
Profile picture for adanab @adanab

I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

Jump to this post

I watched a great presentation on meds for MBC on EMBRACE. It is on YouTube. In the meantime we can look forward to Colleen's answer 🙂

REPLY
1 reply
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adanab | @adanab | May 1, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Just for clarification Faslodex (fulvestrant) is not technically speaking an aromatase inhibitor. It is also an..." + (show)
Profile picture for Colleen Young, Connect Director @colleenyoung

Just for clarification
Faslodex (fulvestrant) is not technically speaking an aromatase inhibitor. It is also an anti-estrogen medication.but is an estrogen receptor downregulator (ERD). It works by blocking the actions of estrogen in the body.

Faslodex is used in postmenopausal women with hormone-related breast cancer that is advanced or has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic).

Jump to this post

I'm curious how oncologists come up with their drug combinations, i.e., I was on Ibrance/Letrozole and when it stopped working was put on Faslodex (injected)/Afinitor. But I've seen Faslodex/Ibrance combos and many others. I wonder if it depends on the particular cancer (I'm mets BC) or is an institution or onco protocol, or? Can you shed any light on this? Thanks.

REPLY
2 replies
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danielle0313 | @danielle0313 | Apr 30, 2022
In reply to @ldavids2 "Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline,..." + (show)
Profile picture for ldavids2 @ldavids2

Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline, aquaphor, eraclear, carmex, blistex, chap stick, AND MANY OTHERS) and have found no relief. It's starting to become a disorder where I am constantly applying some product to my lips. They are very painful especially if I am sweating or eating salty foods. This is not a life-threatening problem but definitely affecting my quality of life. Are there any prescription or other remedies that work? Thanks to you all for sharing!

Jump to this post

Hi there,
I don’t know if this would help, but it’s a product from France. I bought some years ago while visiting Paris and use it all the time (got a second time on Amazon as well). I use it on my chapped lips and a little goes a LONG way. I attached some photos of the description.
I hope you feel better!!
REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for Chris, Volunteer Mentor
Mentor
Chris, Volunteer Mentor | @auntieoakley | Apr 30, 2022
In reply to @ldavids2 "Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline,..." + (show)
Profile picture for ldavids2 @ldavids2

Has anyone experienced extreme chapped lips while taking anastrozole? I have tried absolutely every product (vaseline, aquaphor, eraclear, carmex, blistex, chap stick, AND MANY OTHERS) and have found no relief. It's starting to become a disorder where I am constantly applying some product to my lips. They are very painful especially if I am sweating or eating salty foods. This is not a life-threatening problem but definitely affecting my quality of life. Are there any prescription or other remedies that work? Thanks to you all for sharing!

Jump to this post

Seems like such a little thing but it sure is a pain right! I took to keeping eos handy all the time. I have now added systane eye drops to the mix. Apparently I am drying up. 😂 As I spend a lot of time outdoors it just adds to the problem. People joke about the toughest girl in the barn can’t leave without her chapstick.

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