New research breast cancer prevention and Anastrozole/Arimidex

When I tell my daughter & niece about the possibility of them having the CHEK2 gene mutation, and if they decide to test, and test positive, going onto a prophylactic medication like this will be an option that requires serious consideration. Given that every woman in the family who has the mutation has had BC, how could it not be?

Agreed @primek - at the very least we need to have the OPTION to say yes or no! 

Most people don’t query taking other preventative measures ... I cant really see this as being any different.

thank goodness SOMEONE is thinking outside of the box and trialling these ideas.  

With my family history I would have taken this drug at menopause if it had been offered. I developed bc within 2 years of menopause and my life might gave been very different.
Yes there are side effects but compared to letrozole they have been quite bearable. 
I know I will discuss this option with my niece so she knows all the options. 

Problem is, many pharmaceutical companies have a clear vested interest. And it does not automatically mean that the medication produced is suss! If cancer was a simple complaint, there might be simple answers, but it isn’t. It’s mightily complex and new experimental treatments are appearing almost daily (for which we may ultimately be very thankful). That’s before we even start on side effects, which are just as variable. Not being able to give a simple answer to a question does not necessarily indicate dishonesty - it may just be that there is not one, clear, uncontested answer. Yet. Best wishes. 

When considering any medical research my skeptical self always asks, 'Who or what organisation or company funded the research?", ie, who has a vested interest in a particular outcome?

There’s a wealth of practical knowledge gained from first hand experience from fellow Er+ ladies - worth hanging onto as well as sharing what you learn .The blog has been a lifeline for many of us.

I’m taking it but can’t help but notice all the info from male doctors minimising side effects and the media release and subsequent reporting from the San Antonio conference was troubling in so far as no side effects were acknowledged. A lot of backslapping though.
I’ll not ask about Arimidex ever again. You get nothing from a simple question. Ever. Haven’t in the whole treatment stage got an honest or straight answer from anybody anytime. Not on line. Not nothing. But thankfully drug companies never lie. 

.It is a chance not a guarantee .Even with side effects Er+ people are luckier than triple negative who have no such options. With all the side effects I still choose to take hormone therapy.

I don’t know we are forming a circle and celebrating just learning a little more that may help.I look forward to the San Antonio conference releasing the latest international  research in the hope we’re one step closer but yes you’re right to some extent we’re all guinea pigs and they are learning from us.

No one can force us to take hormone therapy - I do take it but hopefully with eyes wide open as well as positive determination to stay on it as long as it is believed necessary. Best I can do.

If you leave that to the experts, @Temple - they are the ones who've done the research. 

If I had a family history (2 or 3 generations of BC diagnoses) and was offered Arimidex 'as a deterrent' (as a result of tests showing that it is effective) ..... I would take it. 

It is not unlike taking measles/smallpox/chickenpox injections so as to not get them.

I’m a little skeptical about recommending Arimidex for women who dont have BC even if “high risk”.  The side effects reported can be terrible yet the makers and pushers of this drug cannot and will not quantify the incidence of side effects and totally minimise the voices of women who are suffering from it.  I’d like to know research is being done on improving the drug and it’s negative impacts before we all form a circle and celebrate. Yes it supposed to be fabulous yet women are still dying - so how good is Arimidex really?