I'm off to see my oncologist on Thursday and I'm pretty sure that during the appointment we will be talking about whatever AI he has in mind for me. It occurred to me this evening that I've often read on this site of people being on this or that for X years. Why is it for a specified time? Is it because it's believed that it won't come back after that time or is it that you're such a dried up prune by then (

As far as I know it's because research tends to be done in periods of years. So we know what the effects may be over a 5 year period, but not over 3 or 4 years. It's probably a cost efficient way to use the research dollars, but when I want to know whether I get any benefit from staying on letrozole for another 2 or 3 years, rather than another 5, we don't know. Benefits for 10 possibly, but don't know if it's an incremental gain or only kicks in at year 8!!

I think with chemo the aim is to give us as much as we can take! Which may or may not be more than we need. And not all of it may work! Ah joy.

Hopefully this article will help your researchhttps://www.bcna.org.au/news/2016/07/10-year-ai-treatment-might-be-better/Initially my Medical Oncologist said 5 years but then upped it to 10 years (that was 2015).When I first met my Breast Surgeon he said you will be my patient for the next 10years - I struggled to comprehend that at the time but now I get it!Take care

So, a bit like the number of chemo treatments...they know that a certain number works but not if we'd be okay with slightly less.

I think through trial results they've found that 5 years seems to be the most efficacious plus 5 years is the magic number for being pronounced cancer free. Though i have read that there seems to be a thought out there that maybe people should be on AIs for longer but that would have to be on a case by case position. Letrozole seems to be the flavour of the month. That and anastrozole have a similar make up but exemestane is steroid based. Becoming a dried up prune? That hasn't happened to me totally...yet!

AIs | BCNA Online Network

Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
@kmakm Absolument ! @Afraser Thank you.
primek
Member
7 years ago
I've been told at this stage 5 years as I had no positive nodes. But they said by the time I get to 5 the recommendation will probably be different by then also. S I am thinking probably 10 years.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
Good luck, I have been free of many of the "normal" side effects like joint pain and aches, hope you are too.
kmakm
Member
7 years ago
@Flaneuse "Journey of discovery"?! Don't you mean "experience of merde"?!
Flaneuse
Member
7 years ago
@Afraser I took my first Letrozole (again; I was on it for about five weeks before surgery) this morning. So that's another part of the journey of discovery ahead too.
Afraser
Member
7 years ago
It's the bone impact that needs to
be factored in, oh and the vaginal atrophy struck within 6 months, so no way I am consigning that to age! But it's hard to move away from something that's being recommended. Like @Flaneuse I'll pull out when the tipping point is reached, which isn't yet.
iserbrown
Member
7 years ago
Hopefully this article will help your research

https://www.bcna.org.au/news/2016/07/10-year-ai-treatment-might-be-better/

Initially my Medical Oncologist said 5 years but then upped it to 10 years (that was 2015).
When I first met my Breast Surgeon he said you will be my patient for the next 10years - I struggled to comprehend that at the time but now I get it!

Take care
Sister
Member
7 years ago
:)
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
I have been told 10 years too.
Kattykit
Member
7 years ago
Funny about tamoxifen vs letrozole re bone density, I am turning out to be the exception to most rules, took tamoxifen for 4 yrs, ate well, did weight training to strengthen my bones, ended up osteoporotic any way , my worst was -2.9, and am now on letrozole anyway...and already have a nail in my right femur. What the hell will be next. I don't really want to know.