Stage 3 ER/PR+: Five years, now what?

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Texas357
Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
edited June 2014 in Stage III Breast Cancer

I posted this under hormonal treatment, but I also wanted to go directly to others who were stage 3 ER/PR+. I'll be 5 years on Femara in July. My oncologist wants me to continue. I'd like to know your thoughts? 

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited January 2014

    I know senior Oncologists at the Royal Marsden hospital in London recommend ALs for ten years if you are strongly hormone positive........I could not get on with Femara but since taking Exemestane I feel a fair bit better, not brilliant but definitely have more QOL

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited January 2014

    My MO has recommended 10 years of anti hormone treatment - my plan is to stick with it for as long as needed.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2014

    My docs would like ten years. For the time being, we have not had serious discussion about it, since it is a ways off, but it has come up. The recent research seems to support it, especially for those of us who are stage 3.

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  • caitlin61
    caitlin61 Member Posts: 214
    edited January 2014

    I'm on Tamixifen now, but hope to switch to an AI at some point.  Either way, my MO says 10 years.

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  • TectonicShift
    TectonicShift Member Posts: 752
    edited May 2014

    My onc also says at least 10 years of AIs and that's after two-three years of tamoxifen.

    He said he's seen too many women recur a couple years after going off AIs.

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  • Momine
    Momine Member Posts: 7,859
    edited January 2014

    Tectonic, my PT said the same. She had several clients who relapsed shortly after going off the AI after 5 years.

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  • peacestrength
    peacestrength Member Posts: 690
    edited January 2014

    My MO said the same thing - she has seen woman relapse within a few years after stopping.

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    Texas! Happy dance! This is one of those 'good' dilemmas to have. I've been on Tamoxifen for less than a year now & my doc plans to have me on it for 3 years then one year of AI then one more year of tamoxifen. I asked him about the ten year study & he said that the results are less clear cut than many think. As the time gets closer, I will be pressing him further on the decision - although I very much trust his judgement.

    I guess one thing to consider is what SEs you're having & how bad they are, and then how er and pr+ you are. I think another factor is age and another our BMI. 

    Five years out - YAY! 

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  • katyand4
    katyand4 Member Posts: 171
    edited January 2014

    My onc says 10 years.

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  • KerryMac
    KerryMac Member Posts: 3,529
    edited January 2014

    Congrats on 5 years!!

    I'm due to finish up 5 years on Arimidex in July also. My onc plans to then switch me to Tamoxifen, for at least another 5 years, longer if the ongoing studies indicate that it continues to be safe and effective. 

    I've had some bone thinning, he thinks given my age, it's safer for me to stop taking an AI after 5 years. I am just happy to be taking something!

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  • Texas357
    Texas357 Member Posts: 1,552
    edited January 2014

    I'm thinking of asking to be switched to Evista, at least for a break from Femara for a while. I've read that Femara may be responsible for the foggy thinking I've had plus I've had hair loss on Femara. I'd love to see if my hair will actually grow back. I haven't seen my eyebrows since I lost them during chemo!

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  • ziggypop
    ziggypop Member Posts: 1,071
    edited January 2014

    Hey Texas - never hurts to try something new. : ) I unfortunately have eyebrows sort of like my dad's & they were sort of like Einstein's - they fly half way up my forehead. Wouldn't have minded losing half of them.

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  • kim40
    kim40 Member Posts: 904
    edited January 2014

    Lol Texas357.  I hear you about the eyebrows.  I havent seen my ehebrows either since chemo!  I have an appt with my knc at theend of the mlnth and will be askimg for something as my 5 hears with Femara is up in July and I want some sort of security blanket for the next few years!

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  • fondak
    fondak Member Posts: 376
    edited January 2014

    kim40 and Texas357 Congratulations on 5 years!


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