Arimidex doesn't work for DCIS after menopause?

writerchick

Okay, last week my oncologist told me that I should be on Tamoxifen, not Arimidex, even though I'm post-menopausal. Had lumpectomy and radiation for DCIS two years ago and have been on Arimidex for two years.

I don't want to be put on Tamoxifen because of the risks, and am staying with Arimidex. He said there is a study that won't be finished for years checking to see if Arimidex does anything for those with DCIS. He said it was primarily for post-menopausal women with invasive cancers and probably wasn't doing me any good.

Are there ladies here with DCIS on Arimidex or Femara? What do you think about this? Have you heard of the study he was talking about? I'm hoping I'm accomplishing SOMETHING with Arimidex.

PSK07

AFAIK, the only med approved for DCIS women, pre OR post-menopausal is Tamoxifen. Anything else should be used in conjunction with a study.

I am almost 50 and peri-menopausal. I've been on Tamoxifen for 2 years now & have little in the way of SEs - some hot flashes, night sweats around my period (every 3 months). No joint pain. The risks are pretty low, all things considered, and it is a proven treatment.

Since I also have LCIS, I wonder what I'll do after my 5 years with Tamox are over, but that's a ways away. 

Anonymous

Pam---I am high risk due to LCIS and family history of ILC (mom). I took tamoxifen for 5 years and now have been on evista for 2 years for further prevention. (perhaps when you finish tamox in 3 years, you may be post menopausal by then and could then take evista)

Anne

gymnut

i dk if this is too late since this was posted a month ago, but i have similar situation to psk in terms of age & menopause status (peri).  i'm currently on the fence about tamoxifen & leaning towards not taking it though i am scheduled to meet w/ med onc in another week or two.  i had re-excision & just finished rads last week.

i've definitely read & been informed by my docs though that the only med they recommend w/ any proven effect for pre-or post-menopausal women who had dcis is tamoxifen.  obviously you've been given different info so look further until you can be comfortable with whatever decision you make.  my $.02.

take care & good luck.

writerchick

gymnut, right now I'm sticking with Arimidex.  The place where I go changed oncologists, and it was the first one who recommended Tamoxifen, but then said Arimidex was fine. Then this new oncologist said Arimidex would do nothing for me! I get regular mammograms and will be thoroughly checked for five years (three to go), but I just can't justify the state of fear I know I would be in thinking every twinge was uterine cancer. So far I haven't found anything that said Arimidex would be harmful to me, and some articles that have said they believe Arimidex will be found to be better than Tamoxifen. The articles don't always mention DCIS. But I truly am okay with my decision to not take Tamoxifen. Thank you for writing.

SuziePA

writerchick - My sister just finished her 5 years with Arimidex (after mammosite radiation for DCIS) and so far is cancer free.  She was 58 at first diagnosis. Her doctor was at Northwestern. Good luck to you.

writerchick

Thank you, SuziePA. I was beginning to think I'd actually lost my mind and that nobody else with DCIS had taken Arimidex!

SuziePA

It's amazing to me how many different variations of DCIS and treatments there are. I think that's why I was in such shock when I was diagnosed in January and learned I couldn't have the same treatment as my sister and would need a mastectomy instead. 

My sister had the mammosite radiation, and her only problem was allergy to latex that she said made her miserable with itching.  The Arimidex gave her no side effects at all.  She said it was just like taking a vitamin pill.  

Anyway, I don't know where you are from, but my sister lives near Chicago and only has wonderful things to say about Northwestern and Dr. Kevin Bethke if you wanted a second opinion. Take care.