Recent research has shown that giving biphosphonates alongside Anastrazole significantly reduces the chance of BC reoccurrence or spread. Biphosphonates are given to treat osteoporosis.
having just finished treatment I asked my oncologist this week if she could give me biphosphonates as I am on Anastrazole fot five years. If they don’t have side effects then why not?
The answer was no because they are not yet licenced for that specific purpose. She thinks that they will be in a few years. She also suggested that I ask my GP though past experience suggests I will get no joy there.
Two years could be too late. I am prepared to sign a disclaimer and possibly pay for the drugs as I want to minimise future risks.
Has anyone asked the same question and if so what has been the response?
I’m sorry Maggie59 I can’t be of any help but I am feeling exactly the same as you and will be watching this thread with great interest. I have been on Tamoxifen for two years and being changed to Anastrazole in September. However I was signed off by the oncologist at my last visit which was before the news about biphosphonates significantly reducing the risk of breast cancer recurrence so didn’t get to ask the question.
I am due to get my new prescriptions automatically from my GP whenever I am ready to start taking Anastrazole but I think I will actually make an appointment now so that I can discuss the whole thing with her. I have read some negatives to taking bisphosphonates but if it stops cancer coming back it is probably yet another thing I am more than willing to put up with. It would be good to hear other people’s experiences and responses from their doctors on this one.
This is the statement from BCC on this subject for your interest:
Commenting on a major breast cancer study into bisphosphonates, led by researchers at Oxford and the University of Sheffield, Samia al Qadhi, Chief Exectuive at Breast Cancer Care, adds:
“This study on bisphosphonates is good news for women with breast cancer. Treatments such as aromatase inhibitors can cause bones to become frail and sometimes fracture. Bisphosphonates can strengthen the bones, which will help women tolerate and complete aromatase inhibitor treatments.
“A key finding from this study is that bisphosphonates can also lower the risk of the breast cancer spreading to the bones - the most common area breast cancer spreads to - as well as reducing the risk of dying from breast cancer in post-menopausal women. We know how terrified people are that their cancer will spread so any drug that can lower this risk is very welcome.
“Bisphosphonates do have side effects as well. They can cause low levels of calcium in the blood and flu like symptoms. They can also irritate the gullet and on rare occasions damage the jaw bone.”
Cancer Research UK agrees that biphosphonates can help to treat some types of cancer that cause bone damage. The most common ones include secondary breast cancer, advanced stage prostrate cancer and myeloma.
I can understand why these drugs are not given as standard routine when someone is prescribed Anastrozole for primary BC. Each individual case needs to be assessed. Of course, in cases of secondary BC the necessity is much greater and the drug is unlikely to be refused for a patient.
My baseline DEXA scan, after commencing Anastrozole, revealed I had Osteopenia but despite this I would not want to take Biphosonates because of the s/e’s. My GP didn’t offer them anyway.
For early stage BC taking even more drugs to prevent a recurrence is not necessarily the catch all solution. I feel my body has enough awful s/e’s with Anastrozole alone, the last thing I want is a whole bunch of other s/e’s and risks from biphosphonates.
I am sick of reading up on it all to be honest! It’s far too complex for me to make an informed decision so I wish I could rely on the professionals to be in agreement. Have we not got enough to deal with just going through the process without having to check if we are on the best treatment?! Tiring :(
Is Anastrazole in the same family as Letrozole do you know? x
Wow you have done your homework! Thanks for sharing x wonder why we don’t get the irreversible one prescribed above the other 2? We’re obviously at risk if we produce oestrogen. I don’t think I’m going to change…take my chances with my bones! Hey it’s all fun this self assessment isn’t it! Lol x
I have been reading your thread with great interest as I was on Anastrazole and switched two weeks ago to Exemestane due to severe side effects on Anastrazole. I have just had a DEXA scan today and a very interesting discussion re the benefits and drawbacks of the two AI’s. The info I was given was that the Exemestane WILL cause bone loss whereas Anastrazole MAY. This is due to the difference you pointed out MM in that Ex is a different AI in that it is a steroidal one…seems that research into the very long term effects is as yet incomplete - well I cant get current info and maybe not searching effectively. It is all so blooming personal in how to make decisions, how treatments fit without lifestyles etc. I just know I was so so ill on Anastrazole, all was fine for first 6 weeks and then wham. However, initially again on Ex I am fine so I am reserving judgement. Thankfully my bone density is ‘very good for my age’ but the scanning person said that when they see me in two years I WILL have lost density to the point of being at least within the osteopenia range. I was very confused re dietary advice - I am on a low fat diet (heart attack) and iron rich diet (current severe anaemia - invasive investigations next week) both diets work together but seem to conflict with a diet to boost calcium…seems it is best on AI’s to avoid phytoestrogens - all on the list of these make up my main diet. Oh and I could opt to take Calcium and Vit D3 supplements but they interfere with iron absorption so you have to very carefully space their taking 4 hours apart! I am exhausted…pass the wine (not red as it is a phytoestrogen dont you know) !! Katie
Lol Katie…it’s exhausting isn’t it! I have low iron if I don’t take suppliments. I was having tests to try find out why but that’s been abandoned since the big C…bigger fish to fry! Ha. I didnt know to stagger it between the calcium vit D supplimentz though…thanks for that. Think we will end up better informed than the pros at this rate! X
I am having investigations into my low Hb/low iron as it is impinging on my life and it maybe due to ‘something sinister’ but my feeling is that it is due to a) long term use of aspirin (heart) or b) response to treatment for BC as it was low but not as low just prior to recent surgery. I walked up a hill today for a few hundred yards and it nearly finished me off so I am looking forward to an endoscopy and colonoscopy next week…and three days of yet another ‘special’ diet to prepare me…at least alcohol is considered a clear fluid as the day prior to tests I can only drink clear fluids for 24 hrs - hic!!!
Soi - really sorry to hear that you had such horrid side effects. I guess they all affect us individually as that is what our bodies are, individual. Clearly there are common themes but severity seems to vary so much. Once I described my SEs to the Onc she just automatically changed to Exemestane which is interestingly much more costly than Arimidex…
God really Sol, that sounds horrendous! It’s a nightmare isn’t it…like we’re not going through enough! Hey I’ve obviously had this for a while I’m going to stick to supplements for now and exercise…Just as soon as I have an ounze of energy that is! Lol x
Yes Katie I’ve had a few of those procerdures…stayed awake both times …ugh! You may be right 're asprin causing a small bleed? Love you seeing the positive with the ‘clear liquids’ cunning plan! Lol x
Hello everyone - I have been on letrazole for 5 years and going to stay on it longer although my onc also offered me the option of changing to tamoxifen - I’m not certain what to do - but I took biosphonates for a year and then just felt they weren’t right for me - no idea as I am usually vv compliant - but and I think this is the interesting thing - my bone density has consistently improved since the beginning. I have been dairy free since my diagnosis as I was very struck by The Plant programme. I found research which suggested dairy is actually bad for bone density (calcium of course isn’t but you can get calcium from other sources). I firmly believe my bones have improved due to the no dairy and although I do have some joint pains they are not as nearly as bad as they were when I was taking the biosphonates. My hair is thin still and my memory poorer but I think these are small prices to pay. If the biosphonates help reduce risk of recurrence in their own right I guess I should think again but I definitely feel they have a role in increased pain and can be avoided if we give up the dairy. Just my take and experience. Hey I should stop
Fussing - 6 years on and well - hurrah!!! Xxxxxx
Of course the lowering of the risk of recurrence by taking biosphonates only applied to post menopausal women having intravenous infusions of the biosphonates bot orally as many of us will have been given. I might see what my oncologist says if I ask for those I stead of I decide to go back to taking them for recurrence purposes rather than bone density (see my last post re this ) blimey what a minefield!!!
Apologies for jumping on this thread - Help required! My fabulous ITN news journalist friend Victoria Grimes is after a post-menapausal breast cancer survivor who was diagnosed in July 2015 or later for a national news report on bisphosphonates. I don’t fit the bill as I’m pre-menopausal (albeit in clinical menopause now due to the drugs!) If you do, and they can help out today, please can you give them Vicky’s email address victoria.grimes@itv.com. Hope everyone is well and thanks in advance