I have been on Letrozole for 6 months. I also had BC 22 years ago at the age of 37 and I was treated with Tamoxifen for 5 years. I probably didn’t have much oestrogen before I started on Letrozole. I have started with horrendous vaginal itching. I saw the GP last week who said it’s caused by the Letrozole and to continue to use Replens, which doesn’t touch it. I’ve spoken to my BCN who says they would be reluctant to prescribe oestrogen cream as my BC was strongly oestrogen positive. This is really affecting my quality of life so any advice would be very welcome!
Earlier this year there was a very frank, informative and helpful Instagram Live collaboration between Breast Cancer Now’s Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel and Liz O’Riordan, Consultant Breast Surgeon/ Breast Cancer Patient/ Author. It dealt with the side effects of hormone therapy generally and the misery of vaginal dryness specifically. It was aired on 9th July but is still available on the Breast Cancer Now Instagram feed (probably on Facebook too). Someone more technologically savvy than me will hopefully be able to provide a link…
It’s an uncomfortable thing to talk about and even more uncomfortable to have. Hope you get it sorted soon.
Pat x
Me again! Just another thought…
Liz O’Riordan is co-author of ‘The Complete Guide to Breast Cancer’ which I use as my breast cancer bible. She says:
”If you need more than a lubricant, your oncologist may recommend a vaginal tablet (Vagifem, Ortho-Gynest) or cream (Estrogel, Ovestin). These contain a very low dose of oestrogen which is absorbed locally into the wall of the vagina. Because the amount you absorb is so small, these vaginal oestrogens are safe to use even if your cancer is sensitive to oestrogen.” Page 203
Hope this helps.
Pat x