Topic: Strong ER/PR+ would be easier to get recurred?

This is really not something that anyone knows.  There are so many factors that affect how well we do after treatment.  I have read that women who have negative ER/PR may be more likely to recur within the first 3-4 years, and that women who are positive ER/PR may be more likely to recur at a later time.  Treatments affect these statistics with ER/PR negative BC more likely to respond to chemo and ER/PR positive BC more likely to respond to endocrine therapies.  However, these generalizations come from statistics that apply to large groups of women with many different types/sizes/grades/stages of BC who received many different treatments.  I was told that nobody knows how an individual will do.

I think the wide-spread use of AI's is too new for any reliable stats to be issued anyhow. Half the time I just think the Oncs make it up! They really just don't know.

The different approaches of hormonals is so wide-spread - some use Tamox alone, some Tamox with Lupron, some suggest an ooph and an AI - hard to know what will or will not work for you. It is kind of a one shot deal - we don't know how things are going to work for us - just because they work for another woman who "on paper" looks exactly the same as you, doesn't mean that you will have a similar response.

At the end of the day, you just have to do as much as you can, and then make peace with it. And go on and live your life with out any "if only's...."

Hi Sherri,

Are you close to 5 years too?  Any thoughts on what you'll take?  I've got about 9 months left on Arimidex.  I went on Arimidex 6 months after dx and just after having an ooph.  My onc is thinking of  having me stay on Arimidex.

blessings,

Wendy