At 50, in 2008 I was diagnosed with bi-lateral breast cancer,left-stage 1,right-stage 2, ER/PR pos/no node involvement/infiltrating ductal car/BRCA pos/bi-lateral mas in july 2008/chem/femara/have not responded well to Femara so after 2 months stopped/my question is,with all that I have done, am I really at very much risk for met or recurrence?
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Q: met or recurrence
Answers (2)
10/22/09 4:36am
Hi - Only your doctor can give you recurrence risk statistics for YOU, as they're based on your particular cancer. Having had a bilateral mastectomy certainly elmininates most (though not all) of your breast tissue, so it's unlikely the cancer would recur in your breast. Femara is definitely helping keep metastasis at bay (if we can believe the data), but if quality of life is coming into the picture - where you weigh benefit vs. cost, the cost being pain and discomfort - then you'd want specific recurrence stats from your doc. An alternative might be tamoxifen; though not as effective as an aromatase inhibitor, it's still widely used and does provide a degree of protection. Good luck - PJH
10/22/09 5:38pm
I had done a lot of research on the side effects of Femara, and I was terrified of starting the drug. So many women have terrible side effects and have chosen to go off of the drug even knowing it would shorten their life.
However, much to my surprise after 1 year on Femara, I have been been blessed with only 1 side effect - hot flashes. I controll the hot flashes with 800 mg of Vitamin E, and it's decreased and some days even eliminated them.
I feel that taking MSM has eliminated any joint pain I might have had. I was on MSM prior to starting Femara. You can buy it in any drug store - but, I purchase mine from a pet store - it's works just as well, and you get a huge container that will last for several years. I mix it with my yogurt, and take yogurt with my pills (Vitamin C, E, D, etc.) - they go down easier.
If I were you, I would start MSM at least a month prior to starting Femara.
Good Luck,
Carolyn
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