Hi, just wondering what other postmenopausal girls are having for hormonal (oestrogen) bc? I was on tamoxifen, but after a year of treatment and no periods I asked for blood tests to check if i was pre or post menopause and results show strongly post menopause. so now I’m wondering if I should be changed from tamoxifen? have appointment with my oncologist next week and just wondering what questions to ask and what are most popular/effective drugs to be on when post menopause?
Thanks!
Smiler
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Research shows that 2 years on Tamoxifen followed by 3 years of an Aromatose Inhibiter shows an improvement in recurrence rates. When I finished treatment 3 years ago my onc was unsure whether to start me straight away on Arimides but said he felt it would be better for me to benefit from two different types of drugs so recommended I had Tamoxifen for 2 years then change to Arimidex for 3.
I didn’t see my onc again as my follow up was done by my breast surgeon. When the 2 years was up I was changed not to Arimidex but to Aromisin; I think because more recent research suggests this might be a better option. I don’t think anything is clear cut and opinions differ. I know that Aromasin is the most expensive of the 3 drugs available, so I’m happy that the decision wasn’t influence by cost.
Aromatase inhibitors widely used are:
Arimidex (anastrozole)
Femara (letrozole)
These work in a very similar way… Arimidex seems to be prescribed more often than Femara in the UK, I have no idea why… hospital policy?? I’ve been on Femara for 2 years as first-line treatment for my strongly ER+ bc.
and Aromasin (exemestane) which works at a different stage of the oestrogen-production pathway in our bodies.
Hope this helps, Smiler- and that you and your onc communicate well!
Thanks for replying your info was helpful. My onc said that because of my age he would give me tamoxifen for 2 yrs then switch to an aromatase inhibitor, just like you Kelly, but he did mention arimidex and not aromisin, but i guess in 2 yrs time he could’ve changed his mind and there will poss even be new drugs out there?
Hope you are doing well
best wishes
Smiler
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