Off Letrozole - onto Tamoxifen?

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wintersocks
wintersocks Member Posts: 922
edited April 2017 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

I have just had a call from the breast nurse to say I am now discharged from clinic and now back to my GP after 5 years treatment. I am to stop Letrozole and I can go onto Tamoxifen 'If you want'.

I really wasn't expecting this.

Wow, I don't know how to make that decision!

Any insight would be helpful

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  • Icietla
    Icietla Member Posts: 1,265
    edited April 2017

    Hi wintersocks. Wow, indeed. I see that you have not been on Letrozole for a full five years yet. It has been my understanding that the AI therapy component is recommended, if all goes well, for at least five years.

    Has there been some substantial change in the condition of your bones?

    I wonder if this is happening with other UK patients? If it has anything to do with the whole NHS system (reportedly) being swamped with patients? Or the British Pound's decline against other currencies? Have you thought of asking on The Haven forum?

    You should be able to ask your Doctor for an explanation. I understand there is research continuing on extended AI treatment.


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  • wintersocks
    wintersocks Member Posts: 922
    edited April 2017

    Hi Icieta,

    Thanks so much for your response.

    I understood that the full 5 years on Letrozole is up on the point of when surgery was done and that for me is August, not the point of dx which was February. So you are right I don't consider myself having done the whole 5 years yet. Clearly, the oncologist takes the view that it's from the point of dx.

    I have Osteopenia (from Coeliac disease) so understand that I have to come on off Letrozole. I spoke to the breast cancer nurse from an organisation in the UK and she told me the jury is out on taking Letrozole beyond 5 years. There is no proof that there is any further benefit staying on Letrozole beyond 5 years, the data is just not there.

    She said that me if difficult to ascertain whether there will be further benefit on Tamoxifen for me (as the data) is not yet conclusive.

    So. in short because the oncologist's don't know - it's up to me to make decision. no discussion as I am discharged from clinic.

    I think I need to ask for a second opinion from an oncologist.



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