My oncologist wants me off daily Arimidex after six years due to no further benefit. I already had two types of chemo (adriamycin and taxol) and Herceptin after an early-stage recurrence. He says I can take Evista (raloxifene) for five years if I'm anxious about going off a daily drug. Is it worth taking Evista or should I just consider I am done?
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11/26/09 7:17pm
Entirely up to you, Jan. Your oncologist should be able to give you stats showing your risk of recurrence with/without Evista; I'm thinking it's probably of minimal benefit. However, if you're generally a fearful person, you might consider it worth the extra protection. You have to look into your heart and say, "If I stop the drugs and cancer comes back, am I going to kick myself forever?"
Me, I'm going off Arimidex in June (after 5 years of Arimidex preceded by 3 years of tamoixfen plus chemo and radiation), and I'm going to be happy as a clam to be NOT taking ANY drugs! - PJH
5/28/12 11:57pm
Hi.....thank you so much for being here to help answer some questions that are difficult decisions to make. I have been on Arimidex for 6 years, and my Onc. wants me to switch to Evista. I had Stage 1 breast cancer, no nodes, grade 2/3. I'm not sure if I feel safe going off a medication, because I have read that ER+ PR less than 5% has a tendency of a recurrence after after 10 or more years. I don't want to be sorry that I didn't take something and the cancer comes back. But then again, the risk of blood clots and stroke aren't very appealing either, Help?? Thank you, Paula
5/29/12 5:20am
Paula, it's all about balancing risk and benefit. With stage I breast cancer, your chance of recurrence was already extremely low. After six years of Arimidex, it's even lower. Ask your onocologist what your risk of recurrence is right now - your absolute risk, NOT relative risk (e.g., you want to hear, "Your risk of recurrence is 3%," not "Your risk of recurrence is 30% higher if you don't take Evista.") Then find out your risk of serious side effects from Evista, and balance those figures.
Cancer is scary, and you certainly don't want to go through it again. But take a hard look at the odds. If your risk of recurrence is, say, 1% at this point, how worried are you about being that one woman in 100 whose cancer comes back? And how willing are you to undergo more drug therapy to reduce (but not cancel entirely) that risk? It's a hard decision, and only you know yourself well enough to make it. Best of luck - PJH
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By Jan— Last Modified: 05/29/12, First Published: 11/26/09
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Thank you so much, PJ. I think it's of minimal benefit, too, and it has several potentially severe side-effects, just as tamoxifen does. I was leaning against taking Evista and am glad you said you'd be happy going off Arimidex. I appreciate your quick response, especially on Thanksgiving Day. Hope you have enjoyed your day. Jan