Looking for research re: taking AI drugs vs not taking them

@celestebradham hi - I’m 62 also and just newly diagnosed. May I ask about your stats? (Size, type etc?). I’m considering skipping endocrine therapy. But also I think even two years on it (kudos to you!) has to have given you at least some more protection than you had before! ❤️

@celestebradham hi - I’m 62 also and just newly diagnosed. May I ask about your stats? (Size, type etc?). I’m considering skipping endocrine therapy. But also I think even two years on it (kudos to you!) has to have given you at least some more protection than you had before! ❤️

I have just been diagnosed with early stage BC. My tumor is 5 mm, ER+ 80% 2+, PR 90 3+, ki67 - 15 HER2 negative. MRI showed no lymph involvement. I just received a word that I am BRCA negative and now just waiting to schedule lumpectomy. My surgeon said she is not going to even do a lymph node sentinel check at this time because the “tumor is so small.” My question then is about endocrine therapy. I struggle daily with my physical and mental health already due to autoimmune and menopause. I already have very little energy, and depressed and have brain fog and I am extremely scared about what effect endocrine therapy is going to have on me. I understand the importance of it, but I’m weighing risk versus reward at this point. I’m 62 and neither of my parents lived past 67. If I had metastasis in 10-15 years I might actually be ok with that. Predict says my chance of metastasis are very low but it’s still really scary. I also understand I can try and then stop if I have bad side effects but I would like to hear some stories from people who opted out completely and are still doing well. Thank you!

Update: I am off all AI drugs and have tried them all. I ended up with insomnia again and that did it for me. I currently have arthritis in my left knee and fingers, and elbows . I was stage 0 grade 2. No onco score due to my IDC was 7mm and told they couldn’t do a score on tumor that size. I was on them a little over 2 yrs.

@sdbonniea123 I am 72 & was diagnosed in August with stage 1 ILC. My tumor was 7 mm & I also had no visible lymph involvement. I had a clean lumpectomy, a 5-day radiation treatment & I take a half-dose (10 mg) of Tamoxifen, which helps protect my bones & has not given me any bad side effects. Some women our age with early-stage breast cancer choose to forgo hormone therapy & I was nervous about it too. But I have 14 pets that need me to stick around long-term & so, this is my treatment plan! It's been a pretty easy road for me (So far! Fingers crossed!).

Hello @sdbonniea123,

I combined your discussion with an existing discussion on whether to take medications or not, titled:

"Looking for research re: taking AI drugs vs not taking them"
- https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/research-taking-ai-drugs-vs-not-taking-them/

Here, you can meet other members talking about when to take or not take medications and how to make an informed decision.

@JustinMcClanahan - thank you. Someone mentioned a Zoom support group on Monday nights but I can’t find the info on it. Can you please direct me?

Update: I am off all AI drugs and have tried them all. I ended up with insomnia again and that did it for me. I currently have arthritis in my left knee and fingers, and elbows . I was stage 0 grade 2. No onco score due to my IDC was 7mm and told they couldn’t do a score on tumor that size. I was on them a little over 2 yrs.