New member: stopping AI is a greater risk of reoccurrence?

I am 76 also with DCIS grade 1-2. Started Anastrozole hated the side effects I had including the potential for osteoporosis…I stopped taking it 2 yrs ago. Yes it increases my risk but the 5 days of radiation decreases it. So that’s my decision and I am sticking to it. I would like to live out the rest of my days without side effects, feeling sick and too weak to walk or hike. I’m happy keeping my hair in place and my muscles and joints, for what they are without
aches and pain. Now if I was 50 I imagine I would have a different view. But here I am.;)

I can imagine how much relief you must feel, just to have made that decision. Have you already had surgery? Or were you only doing the AI?
That's one thing that bugs me, that if I have surgery, I am told I would still need to take the AI.

Ovarian cancer - had surgery, over and done but could come back. I'm not worried about that.
Lung - had surgery, had radiation, had immunotherapy twice. It's quiet right now and fingers crossed it stays that way.
No other cancer I have or have had is connected to one another.
Breast is the big problem. And that's because of the three locations in the one breast, so some types of treatment (like freezing the cancers) are not acceptable for me. And since they can't see the cancer right now, how could they possibly do a lumpectomy? I'm definitely not the expert, but I was told by one surgeon that they just make sure they do a mastectomy and get every bit of tissue to ensure they get the cancer. Not excited about that.
I am meeting with quite the expert in a week and hope I will feel more comfortable making one decision or another. I know there are some patients at MD Anderson who are taking a chance like I am right now. I have one friend whose breast cancer had metastacized before it was even discovered about 12 years ago. She was put on tamoxifen for TEN YEARS, and it recently stopped working, so she is now on Letrazole...about two years.

Hi! eleanorrigby:

My heart aches and my prayer goes out for you upon reading your post... Life truly threw curve balls at us from time to time, and sometimes it seemed to be even cruel, isn't it?

I admire your perseverance of dealing with various cancers bravely over the years; indeed, I sympathize with you for trying to avoid surgery. However, I am no medical expert and I had already gone through my surgery to get rid of my IDC tumor on 12/26/2023, for as far as I understand surgery is the most effective way to get rid of cancerous cells from our body. I pray that when you finally meet the expert in a week, you'll get the best advice to make your informed decision with a peace of mind. In the meantime, if you haven't done genetic testing for cancer risk yet, please consider discussing it with your physician. I feel this is beneficial for our blood relatives, because early detection is the key to successfully treat any kinds of cancers. I am also encouraged by your taking Anastrozole for 2 years, and it apparently shrinks your cancerous cells significantly that the breast cancer went into hiding:) Wow! If I understand you correctly, your last MRI, US, Mammo done in June showed no sign of any cancerous cells, right? What great news to share with us! Thank you!

Best wishes for all on the journey ahead!

@spanz

Are you on MyBCTeam?

A friend on there posted about lowered doses and I posted about trying different manufacturers of the same AI.

I am 75. Not taking AIs would increase the 9 year recurrence rate from 3% to 6%. The oncologist said look at it this way. Do you want a 97% on your test or would you be happy with a 94%. I had IDC Stage 1 Grade 1. Oncotype score was a 1. I have no genetic mutations. My sentinel node biopsy was clear. I did opt for 15 days of radiation because I am hesitant to take AIs. I already have fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, muscle and joint pains from neck and back surgery, and have had migraines since I was 12. I had another bone density scan and I have osteopenia (same diagnosis in 2009). I would prefer 9 more decent years of life and not 9 years of misery. I’m still working! One more visit with the oncologist for my final decision in two weeks.

Ovarian cancer - had surgery, over and done but could come back. I'm not worried about that.
Lung - had surgery, had radiation, had immunotherapy twice. It's quiet right now and fingers crossed it stays that way.
No other cancer I have or have had is connected to one another.
Breast is the big problem. And that's because of the three locations in the one breast, so some types of treatment (like freezing the cancers) are not acceptable for me. And since they can't see the cancer right now, how could they possibly do a lumpectomy? I'm definitely not the expert, but I was told by one surgeon that they just make sure they do a mastectomy and get every bit of tissue to ensure they get the cancer. Not excited about that.
I am meeting with quite the expert in a week and hope I will feel more comfortable making one decision or another. I know there are some patients at MD Anderson who are taking a chance like I am right now. I have one friend whose breast cancer had metastacized before it was even discovered about 12 years ago. She was put on tamoxifen for TEN YEARS, and it recently stopped working, so she is now on Letrazole...about two years.

May I ask how you knew it had stopped working?

May I ask how you knew it had stopped working?