Hormone blocker info

Dmckinley

I am 65 and had a mastectomy of my right breast in August. 4 th of 12 treatments on Tuesday. Taxol and Herceptin. Continue with Herceptin for the remainder of the year and then will be put on hormone blocker. Would like to know what works best since my research leaves me confused. I have had no prior health problems until now. HER 2 positive and treatment being done for prevention purposes. Any suggestions as to what blocker has fewer SE? What a ride this has been and I am ready to get off of it!!

Dmckinley

Good to know. Thanks for your reply and will talk to doc about this !!

SpecialK

Each hormone therapy may have differing side effects, depending on the individual. Ask your oncologist which they prefer (mine prefers Femara (letrozole) because he feels it has a slight performance edge, but many women have to try a couple of different drugs, and makers of each - as they can affect you differently, to find the best fit. Since you are 65 you have three aromatase inhibitor options, Femara (letrozole), Arimidex (anastrazole), and Aromasin (exemestane). These three are only available to those who are post-menopausal, or for younger women using ovarian suppression. Tamoxifen is also available, but most oncologists prefer aromatase inhibitors due to better efficacy, and use Tamoxifen only if bone health is an issue, or you are unable to tolerate AI drugs.

SpecialK

suersis - that is so cute! Actually, there are a bunch of us TPs over on this thread:

https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/80/topic/...

Since the majority of breast cancer is ER/PR+, and some 20% of breast cancer cases are Her2+, it actually more unusual to be ER/PR- and Her2+. There is a thread here on BCO for those folks too! Her2 status and hormonal receptors are somewhat apples and oranges from each other - and it is possible to have differing combinations of all three aspects - as well within IDC, ILC and IBC. Complicated, right?