Zometa as delayed treatment?

krcll

I was diagnosed 3 years ago, done with chemo 2 1/2 years ago and have 3 more years of Femara left. I had my ovaries out about 8 years ago so I am definitely post-menopausal. Would having Zometa at this point be effective? I know there have been studies showing that starting Zometa at the same time as AIs is better than starting Zometa later, but are there any studies as to whether starting Zometa later is still better than not getting it at all?

I'm pretty ticked off with my onc. I have been bugging him for 3 years now about how I want to get Zometa and he kept saying that there wasn't enough information yet. He is the head of the commission that decides the current standard treatment of breast cancer in Norway, so I figure he knows all the newest studies. Well, this committee meets twice a year to discuss any changes in their recommendations and at the last meeting in June, they decided to recommend Zometa for post-menopausal women as part of adjuvant treatment! It was just posted on their web-site, so I haven't known before now. But what REALLY ticks me off is that I had an appointment with my onc the day before this meeting and even then he said that there was not enough evidence yet of the benefit of taking Zometa. And this is exactly ONE day before the committee (that he is the head of!) changes the treatment recommendations to include Zometa! I guess I can assume that my onc is not a fan of Zometa....

So help me out, you smart, well-researched women! Is there an advantage, 2 1/2 years post chemo in taking Zometa? If there is, you can bet I will be storming my onc's office next week and demanding that I get it!

KerryMac

Ugg, don't you hate that!



As to delayed benefits, to be honest I have no idea. But, my gut feeling is, if he will give it to you, it can't hurt.



I finished up my 3 years earlier this year, and SE-wise it was very tolerable. The first one was awful, but the subsequent infusions were fine. And at the very least it is protecting your bones. I have already become osteopenic even while taking it, and exercising, so I hate to think where I would be if I had not had it.



I would certainly ask for it again. Let us know what the outcome is!