Hi sandy52
It sounds as though you are coming to the end of your treatment with letrozole after 5 years of treatment. The length of time that someone is recommended to take this drug will vary from 5 to 10 years depending on their individual situation. Like you, many women finish taking it after 5 years. Letrozole will continue to reduce the risk of cancer coming back for many years after treatment finishes. This is known as the carry over effect and may last for five years or longer.
If your final prescription takes you slightly over the 5 years, it is fine to continue taking it until you have finished all the tablets prescribed.
As @shade has said, it is common to feel anxious about stopping hormone therapy. If you’re feeling worried, do talk to your breast care nurse or GP so they can support you.
If you would like to speak to someone who has finished their hormone treatment, our Someone Like Me service can arrange for one of our volunteers to talk to you by email or telephone.
Our volunteers have had personal experience or have supported someone who has had breast cancer and are trained to provide support.
You can ring the Someone Like Me team on 0345 077 1893 or email them at someone.likeme@breastcancernow.org,so they can then match you to your volunteer.
Do call our helpline if you would like to talk this through or have any further questions. The helpline team have time to listen, talk things through and signpost you to additional support and information if necessary. Your call will be confidential, and the number is free from UK landlines and all mobile networks.
The number is 0808 800 6000. If you have hearing or speech difficulties prefix our number with 18001 and the call will go through Relay UK. Our helpline has access to telephone interpreters if language translation is required.
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Best wishes
Eve
Breast Care Nurse
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