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Mellyb's avatar
Mellyb
Member
11 years ago

Stopping Femara after 5 years

Hi everyone I'm wondering if anyone can help. My mum was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009. She had a mastectomy, lymph nodes removed, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and has been on Femara since 2010. As she is approaching 5 year remission, her oncologist would like her to stop taking Femara saying there is no further benefit. My mum experienced terrible symptoms such as hot flushes and joint pain but persevered as she did not want the cancer to return. So here's the thing .. Although she is advised to stop taking it & even though it caused horrid symptoms .. She is afraid to! I guess actively taking something made her feel like she was doing something to stop the aggressive cancer from returning. She has raised these concerns and was told the risk of returning cancer because of stopping Femara was slim if she stopped it (she did have aggressive stage 111 cancer). She has been told she can keep taking it but its not their choice. She asked if she can go on Tomoxifen and again was told its not necessary but her choice. Is anyone in the situation? What have you been told once you reached 5 years post cancer treatment? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you :)

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  • Mellyb's avatar
    Mellyb
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thanks everyone for the great feedback - I very much appreciate you all taking the time to help me out. A second opinion or at least an explanation of their decision is in order. My mum has pre-osteoporosis and is on vitamin D and calcium supplements as well as injections every 6 months to harden her bones. I know she gets a lot of bone pain - always resulting in numerous bone scans for fear of the cancer been in her bones. I wonder if his has something to do with their decision to stop femara? I guess they have to weigh everything up - but we don't want the cancer to return. Unfortunately my dad just got diagnosed with cancer last week. We aren't sure what treatments he is up for yet. I know mum wants to be in the best shape health wise to help him get through it... Life sucks sometimes hey! Wish cancer didn't exist .. It's great we have all these treatments now but it's so much to go through.. And watching people you love struggle & not been able to do anything. Would be great if all cancers could be prevented somehow! Then some families aren't touched by cancer at all and you wonder what we are doing wrong! Aragh! Anyway thanks again everyone & wishing every one of you good health, & optimism xx I'm going to find a second opinion for mum.
  • dawngirl's avatar
    dawngirl
    Member
    11 years ago
    It's the news that it keeps on working beyond the ten years that particularly excited me Chris. Glad to hear the word is out there and women are being advised of optimal treatment. x
  • Robyn_W's avatar
    Robyn_W
    Member
    11 years ago
    I'm in Sydney and see an oncologist at RPA. She has told me that the latest thinking is that 10 years is definitely better.I am only 12 months on Tamoxifen and can't change to Arimidex because of my advanced osteoporosis.The difference in effectiveness is minimal,and I really have no side effects now that are worth mentioning.Cheers xoxRobyn
  • Mellyb's avatar
    Mellyb
    Member
    11 years ago
    Thanks for your comments - I appreciate it! I do recall something about the 10 year treatment plan back when mum was originally diagnosed. At that time I think I'd also read articles about people taking Tomoxifen for 20 years - but they weren't sure whether it was necessary. We live in a regional area, but have travelled to Sydney to see a surgeon there and the surgeon also didn't think mum needed to be on anything now that 5 years has been reached. I do agree maybe another opinion is required! Would love to hear from other ladies post 5 years. How are you been treated now? Thanks again and all the very best with your treatment :)