Garvans Annual Breast Cancer Research Update Thursday 21 March 2019

Hullo @Jackie50, we haven't been in touch before but I just wanted to say how sorry I am to hear about you going metastatic after 5 years ... I have been trying to get the latest scientific research-based information about rates of metastasis and average times but so much depends on treatments and variabilities in diagnosis and pathology. May I ask if you were on Femara/Letrozole or Tamoxifen during the whole of that time? The statistics are awfully confusing about this. Many people cite around 30% recurrence even for people on Letrozole/Tamoxifen over five years, another set of recent reports suggested a 90+% success over five years. Obviously this is a big difference, and with the side effects issue being so important it really seems we need to know the likely outcomes before deciding to stay on or go off these drugs which the BC fraternity is increasingly relying on. Of course everyone is different and every BC story is different but still I have confidence that statistics are a kind of guide.

This issue is one of the main reasons I was hoping to get to the Garvan Institute Research update on this Thursday. However I am not sure if I will be able to make it ... As far as I know, the BCNA is not going to be there or to make a recording or a podcast of the event. I think people have been counting on Kate (kmakm) to report back, and there are a couple of others who might be able to contribute. If I manage to be there, I will certainly be willing to give some kind of an update. Meanwhile, take care in every way possible and we will be thinking of you.