No Recurrence If We Take Aromatase Inhibitors?

Hippie girl,

I am sorry to say that there is no medicine or therapy that will guarantee you won't have a recurrance. Has your oncologist spoken to you about how much an AI will reduce (percentage wise) your recurrance risk? If not, this needs to be part of your next conversation. Take care.

There are no guarantees of anything in life!

I'm 8 yrs post DX and 7 1/2 yrs on first Femara and then letrozole when it became available in the generic form. Still NED! For IBC the average is 1 out of 4 will make it to 5 yrs post DX. I have (and 3 yrs plus). I will be on it 'forever' which is fine.

Hippie girl, I have to say you have one of the better dx on these boards: not aggressive, hormone +, no node involvement, and small tumor size.

Because of my status, my MO tells me I'm high risk and will have to stay on an AI for 10 years and maybe more. As for side effects, I have a few joint issues in my hands from time to time, and my left hip aches from time to time. Yoga and regular exercise--running, weight machines, walking--seems to help this side effect a lot.

I believe that my MO truly thinks that my recurrence stats are lowered a lot just by taking the AI I'm taking--Aromasin.

But there are no guarantees that taking an AI completely prevents recurrence. To look at it another way, I am also exercising, keeping my BMI below 20, don't smoke, eat plant-based organic, and meditate because I suffer from anxiety. I take a daily aspirin, make sure my Vit D levels are good-my MO checks them yearly. I also tend to drink too many glasses of wine (more than 3) on occasion--due to my anxiety--but I try not to do that very often at all, perhaps a few times a year. That's my only not-so-great habit that I'd like to do less of in the future.

I think that every positive lifestyle choice we make adds to less recurrence, and any lifestyle choice we make that is negative--increases the chances of recurrence to a degree-mostly a small one though, if you read the research.

Does it all add up to 100% guarantee? Nope. But we can feel good about adding to our potential for less recurrence by simple lifestyle choices that are good for us.

My 2 cents.

Claire in AZ

I echo what Claire in AZ says, although I did 5, not 10 years and Anastrazole. It was quite do-able, and I made a point of lots of exercise, though not nearly as careful with my diet as she us. I also take aspirin on a daily basis, which appears to have a major benefit in observational studies, with clinical trials now underway. The big one is exercise, but I should also point out that something we need to be doing regularly. Claire hikes, and I cycle/ski. I also hike, but only a few times a year. I do make a point of walking/jogging at least 3 miles every single day (when not on my bicycle or skis), plus I life free weights and do a series of crunches on week days.

I did have some achiness during my 5 years of AIs, and I particularly remember the time I was on a skiing trip with the guy I was dating, and it was 4 miles back to the car. My left hip was killing me, and I got a blister on my right heel!!! I was happy that mostly downhill, and I made it back. Still had a fabulous time.

I would plan on this being something you need to do for 5 years, that perhaps requires upping your exercise game. We talk about the health benefits of exercise, but let me also mention looking fabulous in leggings, spandex, and all sorts of clothes. Not that bad. Good luck! - Claire