5 years Tamoxifen,then AIs but how long for?

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Hi

I have had 5 years Tamoxifen, now 2 1/2 years Femara for primary breastcancer. I thought it was going to be Femara for just 3 years but my Onc has now said that the recommended period is 5 years and I remember reading somewhere that trials are on at the moment to see if it can be 10 years.

Some people have posted that they are having 5 years Tam followed by 2 years AIs, is this the norm?

I am struggling with Femara and might have to change but would have stuck it out if it was for the 3 years, don’t know if I can cope with another 2 years.

Thanks

Hazel

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Just bumping to see if any comments please?

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Hi Hazelmary

I have only just started on Tamoxifen, will be taking it for the next 5 years, possibly 7, but the Onc told me that I will then move onto an als for the following 3 years, possibly longer…
I really don’t know how it works out, and why there are so many different opinions on the matter, I just have to trust my Oncologist and hope all will go well!!
Is it maybe because we were highly hormone receptive?

Deb

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Hi Hazelmary
My onc said I would be on Tamoxifen for two years, then have blood tests to confirm I’m menopausal, then switch to an AI. I’ve since learnt that most recent opinion seems to be that this switch from Tam to an AI provides better protection in the long term.

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Hi Hazelmary

I’ve had 5 years of tamoxifen and I’m now having 4 years of femara. My understanding is that it will depend on what stage and grade you were as to what treatment plan you have. However, I wasn’t given femara until they knew for certain that I was post menopausal.

I hope that helps you.

Jeannie

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Hello

Thanks everyone for your comments.

I was okay on tamoxifen, just weight gain which has gone since finishing Tamoxifen but about 6 months after starting Femara have had problems with my mouth.

Looks like I have permanently got Oral thrush and a mouth ulcer that won’t go and mouth always seems burning. My GP has tried everything, blood tests, thrush treatment, antibiotics etc etc. Anyway I have an appointment at a Oral & Maxillofacial Clinic next Tuesday. At this present time if feels as though my mouth itches and the only thing that helps is sucking ice cubes.

My Onc did say that I could have an 8 week break from Femara to see if it is the Femara but whilst my mouth improved slightly it didn’t go away.

At first he said that it would be 3 years of Femara which is up next April but now he says that 5 years will be the timescale and that isn’t the general opinion, it can vary. There are other AIs to try so I guess if the Oral & Maxillofacial Clinic doesn’t find anything I will go back to see my Onc.

Thanks eveyone and if anyone has had the same problem as me I would be very grateful to hear about it or about Oral thrush that hasn’t gone away.

Hazel