Stage I Breast Cancer

GuinevereP · June 2007

I had surgery for stage 1 breast cancer about two weeks ago and will be undergoing radiation treatment shortly. What shocked me was that now the doctor is talking about putting me on Arimidex for 5 years. When I looked up the side effects I got worried. I already have osteopenia (my mother had very serious osteoporosis) and already have aches and pains and osteoarthritis of the knees due to age (I'm 58). Not only that it also has the side effect of thinning hair. I don't want to sound vain but it is about the last good thing I have going for me. I am not married - have no children and no family. I don't want to take Arimidex if it is going to decrease the quality of my life drastically. I'm starting to figure out what to do about it but really feel that quality of life is more important than quantity - especially when I am alone.

Anybody out there have anything supportive to say? Any information about Arimidex?

ADK · June 2007

I was also stage 1 and I refused any anti-hormonal medication. I did the surgeries and radiation and also had a hysterectomy & oomphectomy. Many of the women on the boards will tell you to try it before you decide not to do it. It's a very personal decision. How comfortable do you feel about not doing it? To me, the reduction in the risk was not worth it. Have your onc run your information through the on line risk calculator and that may help you make your decision.

Good Luck

Shirlann · June 2007

Also, another approach is to try it, and if you have bad side effects you can stop.

I don't know any reason you cannot stop if the side effects are bad. For reasons unknown, some gals have little or no problems, others have a lot of problems.

So do the checking ADK suggested, so you know what you are risking.

Gentle hugs, Shirlann

roseg · June 2007

I agree with Shirlann - try it and if you have bad side effects stop.

Are you worried that your cancer will re-occur? Although Stage I has a smaller chance of that it does happen. Hormonal treatments offer protection against that.

You are deciding that you won't like it before you've even tried it.

ginger2345 · June 2007

With osteopenia, a mother with osteoporosis, and bc treatment with Arimidex, you'd be a candidate for yet another drug that might help with the thinning bones--a bisphosphonate like Fosamax.

julel · June 2007

Can you consider tamoxafin? Although the AIs are the new gold standard for postmenopausal women, Tamoxafin is also quite effective in preventing recurrance. In your case, tamox has the added benefit of working to preserve bone mass.

I am also a stage 1. I am currently on tamox and plan to take it 2-3yrs and then finish out the 5yrs with an AI, thus hopefully minimizing the SEs of both (possible uterine changes with tamox/ vs bone/cardiovascular issues with the AIs). I am premeno at 49, taking zolodex and hoping to go into menopause naturally soon, or possibly have an oopherectomy.

I have been on tamox for about 9 mths with no major complaints. We have more heart/blood pressure issues in our family hx, so I am more afraid of the AIs than the tamox.

Good luck with your decision.
Julie

tam1953 · June 2007

I had Stage 1 and thought it would be treated with lumpectomy followed by radiation and tamixifen. As it turned out, bilateral mastectomy was indicated. Follwing this, they told me I don't even need tamoxifen because my tumor was only 1 cm and I have no more breast tissue to contend with. Having the bil mast actually opened other doors for me.

roseg · June 2007

Hummm. A question to ask is whether since you were on HRT when you developed the cancer if they consider you to be pre-menopausal.

Certainly your hormone levels WERE higher when you were on HRT, but since you've probably stopped that do they categorize you as menopausal.

The_Cyber_Cat · June 2007

Tamoxifen has been around for about 25 - 30 yrs. All of its effects are well documented. It blocks the receptor cells. Arimidex reduces estrogen in body.

Why not consider Tamoxifen? What was the percent of receptors of your tumor? If very low maybe you could get a second opinion on taking any hormone treatment.

I really am shocked that your doc is giving you Arimidex when you have osteopenia. Arimidex is new on the market -- long term benefits and side effects are not fully known yet.

My onc told me that Tamoxifen has been shown to increase bone density.

Reducing the estrogen in your body - with Arimidex - just doesn't sound good for osteopenia bones. Or osteoarthritis.

I'ld get a second opinion. And check your path report for the receptor percent.

fireba · June 2007

I always try to remind myself that my doctor is obligated to share ALL POSSIBLE side effects with me, whether they are considered likely, less likely, rare, or extremely rare. (I'm a bit of a side-effect freak-outer!) You may actually experience few or even none of the listed side effects.

Of course, a drug that could exacerbate an existing medical condition is another story, and it sounds like you need more information and assurance that this is the right choice for you. I'm all for second opinions, at any stage of treatment. Alternatively, you could go back to your onc with some of the info you've amassed here and on the internet and have a straight talk about ALL the options and which is best for your sitation. That might be enough to allay your worries and help you make a choice you feel good about. If not, start dialing Doctor #2!

Anonymous · June 2007

Hi,

I was stage 1 at diagnosis also last July. I chose the lump/radiation and then had a hyst/ooph because of my ER/PR+. I worry myself about side effects of medications, because I have become ALLERGIC to everything, just shortly after stopping radiation last Jan. Its been baffling for my docs. My hyst/ooph had to be done withOUT pain meds. OUCH x's 200!! I became allergic to EVERYTHING, environmental and medicine wise. Its NOT been fun. I AM however on the advice of Johns Hopkins going to TRY to take the AI therapy. It is TRUE that a stage 1 grade 1 can be highly treatable and a stage 3 or 4 can be worse, but the opposite is also true. Just my opinion, and I am also a firm believer in 2 and even 3rd opinions. Have had them and I dont regret it..

Blessings,
Peachy

margiejune · June 2007

I have been on Arimidex for almost 3 years and have had absolutely no problems. I am 73 years old.

Bliz · June 2007

I am just starting this journey as I was recently diagnosed with stage 1. I too am highly allergic or at least hyper sensitive to most medicine. It usually takes about 1/2 of everything to do the job for me. I plan on sharing this with the oncologists and other docs. I am even debating the radiation but hope to have the mammosite instead. This input really helps.

ransom6854 · July 2008

I have had stage 1 breast cancer. Lumpectomy and 31 radiation treatments. I am now on Arimidex. Have been for approx 7 months. Was having no side effects until about the last 3 weeks ago. Muscle pain, joint pain and all around tireness and weakness. Nothing seems to help. I feel like I have been run over by a truck. Has anybody else had problems later on like this? I know it has to be the arimdex as the only other thing I am on is blood pressure medicine (which I had to change since being on arimidex as it had to then be doubled) and my doctor says the blood pressure meds can't/won't do that.

ICanDoThis · July 2008

I felt the same way about arimidex; I'm grade 1, stage 1.

I asked how safe arimidex was for someone with osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and osteopenia.

I'm on tamoxifen for 2 years; we'll revisit after that.

Please note, though, in addition to grade (non-aggressive), and stage 1 - I had huge margins around my lump and almost no DCIS, so all my doctors believe that my chance of recurrence is lower than the statistics given by AdjuventOnline.

AnneW · July 2008

I've had stage 1 cancer twice, the second one was found a year after I stopped my AIs. (I think it had been there for some time, if not the whole time as the first, but kept in check by the AIs and the oopherectomy.)

I am back on AIs. Had problems with Tamoxifen. Bad pain with Arimidex. Did well with Femara. Now on Aromasin. For as long as I need to be.

I think what's driving me to consider another 5 years on meds is the concept of "dormant" cancer cells. While we may have removed darn near all the breast tissue (some actually can stay behind and become cancerous, or cancer comes back in the scar tissue, whatever), and we may not have had any visible cancer in our nodes, I still believe we need something systemic for treatment. Breast cancer cells may well have gotten into our bloodstream, waiting for the day for conditions to be right for substantial cell division and tumor growth. My belief is that the anti-hormonals help destroy conditions for these dormant cells to thrive.

While we can get some basic prediction for recurrence with tumor testing now, it's not a given. We still don't know why some people recur/get mets regardless of stage and node status, while others never will.

So, for me, time will tell. I may decide to stop AIs early. I can't predict. All I can say is that I was feeling mighty confident in my survival, and then another primary reared its head. That shook me up a bit. My individual statistics on Adjuvant are still excellent for living a long life without cancer. I'm just not ready yet to take that as the gospel. I have learned, during 6+ years of cancer and living how to keep up my quality of life in a manner that supports my value system, and still incorporate a systemic cancer treatment.

My two cents only.

Anne

Stage I Breast Cancer

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