Femara forever?

Well, I will be on Femara forever, but for different reasons. I was dxed at stage 4 er+/pr+ and her2neu+. Instead of surgery and chemo (saving that for a time when Femara doesn't work) I was put right onto Hormonal Therapy (lupron and Femara). I'll be on this for as long as it works; then we try something else.

Best wishes!!

Hi Barb. I was intially diagnosed Stage lllb. I did tamoxifen for 12 years after that until my mets diagnosis. All the docs agree that had I not taken the tamoxifen for all those years, I probably would have gotten mets much earlier. I sincerely believe that it was the AI that kept me cancer-free all those years. Through my research I've found that the one of the reasons they stop an AI after five years is because of the chance of stroke. I'm thankful that my onc (way back then) made the call that the pros outweighed the cons. I'm not sure I would have been comfortable not receiving treatment of some kind, so I would have no problem staying on the Femara for life.  

Sachi:  My onc also told me that, pending research studies, I too will be on femara forever.  But, like you, I am very hopeful that something else -- maybe a type of vaccine -- will come along which is specifically targeted at er+ bc.  The ongoing research in genomics and proteomics is encouraging.  Meanwhile, a better diet, exercise and many(!) supplements are my other weapons.  To be honest, bc was a bit of a wake-up call for me as to what I should be doing for my body generally.

Good luck to you and all AI buddies!

Linda

It's interesting, how different docs react to ongoing research.  From what you're saying, some docs are leaving BC patients on an AI (after 5 years) until research proves that "longer isn't better"--it does no good.  According to threads on the "Hormone Therapy" forum, other docs are doing the opposite:  unless there is research to show there's a better outcome (lower recurrence risk etc.) when BC patients are kept on an AI beyond 5 years, they'll stop prescribing the drug at 5 years.

I don't know yet.  All my cancer docs tend to be conservative--they won't do something unless there is data to prove that it works.  I think that goes along with the philosophy at this cancer center--it's a big, university hospital/NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. You aren't likely to get the experimental (unproven) stuff here unless you're enrolled in a clinical trial.

BTW, what's the situation with insurance coverage of AI's after 5 years?  Some insurance companies won't pay for a treatment that hasn't been proven to be effective (like taking an AI for longer than 5 years); and the AI's are really expensive...

otter