Posted on behalf of a new user
Jo, Facilitator
I am 80 and have just had 2 lumps, one of which I only accidently discovered, removed. Now I am wishing I had kept them. The prospect of the osteoporosis threatened by the Letrozole, and the Lymphoedema on the cards after radiotherapy keeps me awake . Has anyone out there refused radiotherapy and the 5 years of Letrozole? The treatment seems far worse than the disease so far. I heard that in some areas doctors don’t bother treating old people with breast cancer, and , considering it grows very slowly in the old, I wish my doctor had thought the same.
Hi new member. Can only speak for my own experience, but understand where you coming from! I am 61. I believe lymphodema possibility is only relevant if you have had nodes underarm removed and increases with the number removed, but even then, mostly doesn’t occur. Don’t think it in anyway linked to radiotherapy.But some one may correct me there if I’m wrong.I take arimidex hormone therapy and did develop oesteo, was on biphosphinates but after 4 years stopped them(my decision) thus far had no problems with bones.
Hi
If your lymph nodes have not been removed, then you will not get Lymphoedema, it is caused becaused the nodes are not there to protect us from infection. so if yours are there, you have no worries.
Radiotherapy is no problem! as for Letrosol, l know some ladies have a problem with it, l have been fine, the odd pain here and there. Why not take it for 6 months, at the end of the day it is your choice whether to continue or not!
A friend of mine is 78 and is on Letrosol and is fine with it, her bones are perfect so unlike me doesn’t have calcium tablets either.
You will get a bone density scan, that will tell you how your bones are, if they are weak then you can say you dont want to take Letrosol, if they are good bones, then you will have no problem, just a bone scan every year to keep an eye on the bones!!
Good Luck
Sandra