How Many are doing 10 years on Aromatase Inhibitors

Agree with HomeMom. It's downright scary to think that there aren't enough women beyond 10 years to do a study. Is this info really correct?

The first aromatase inhibitor was introduced to the market in 1994. That's just 28 years ago. It has been a game-changer for post-menopausal women with ER+ breast cancer; significantly decreasing recurrence and death as a result.

Like all new drugs, it takes time (a lot of it) and money (a lot of it) for research to understand its effects on the human body and compile reliable statistics about them. At first, recommendations were for a 5-year period of drug therapy after initial diagnosis. As time went on, research revealed there was a benefit for some people to extend their therapy to 10 years.

And that's where we are today. The drug simply hasn't been around long enough to know precisely what happens for those who take it longer than 10 years.

Mary625, I'm in almost exactly the same boat. I'll be at 10 years this coming July. I think my oncologist wants me to discontinue it, but I'm doing pretty well and have conflicted feelings. I'm borderline osteopenic but I'm taking a bisphosphonate that's helping. My lady bits think they're 100 years old, but I've learned to manage the symptoms. I would rather stay on letrozole than discover a recurrence down the line. And my cancer was pretty high risk.

Where's that crystal ball? Can you buy one on Amazon?

I am on the ten year plan. I have 18 more months to go and I wonder what's next. I have tolerated Letrozole well. I am very unhappy with the rapid aging and I am always soooo tired but that likely is unrelated. If given the choice I would like to continue. The drug gives me peace of mind.

Hi There My onc told me today that I can end my AI treatment. I was on Luporn and Tamoxifin for 2.5 years then dropped the Lupron and switched to Anastrozole. I am now at 7 years total. I am a little nervous about letting go of what feels like a life line to me. I am in great shape, and work out regularly. My bones have not been effected but I am always tired. Onc says I will get my energy back. He says that there are side effects the heart that I should think about. He also said that the risk of recurrence goes up 1% every year. Great so the older we get the higher chance of recurrence.

How did you feel after stopping treatment? Anyone out there? Thanks in advance

I am in my ninth year of anastrozole. My MO wants me to complete ten years and then switch to tamoxifen or Evista.

My doc told me that after the BCI results I can stop letrozole but I’m too scared to stop. What should I do? The thought of doing nothing to protect myself puts me in a panic si I’m still taking it. It’s about six years now.

Hi Mudd, have you looked at a copy of your BCI results to give you the percentages of recurrence? The results vary from low to high recurrence but also state whether you would benefit from extending beyond 5 years. I have read that only about 5% of people benefit from taking the meds beyond 5 years (of people who qualify for the BCI test).

My results came back with a high chance of late recurrence and a benefit from continuing the AI. I took the meds for a little over 8 years until I was diagnosed with osteoporosis a couple of months ago. It is scary since I should be going another two years but you also have to weigh the benefit vs. side effects. I tolerated the meds but felt much better when I took a break from them. Since I have quit, I have more energy, I was able to go off of one of my blood pressure meds, and my mood has lifted. However, I am still thinking of going back at some point along with the Prolia shot to protect my bones.

It is definitely a tough decision that only you can make based on what you are comfortable with. Many women here have said to try and think about what you would regret with what you decide. Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I will stop taking Arimidex on December 20, 2024 (ten years). It looks like we took this journey around the same time. My Dr said "You'll go off this on December 20th and there will be no tapering off". I have osteopenia in my lower back. My next Deca scan isn't for almost two years, so I am going to go back in the spring of 2025 to get a prolia shot only, then get my deca scan in the summer to see if going off of the Arimidex has helped.

She told me at 5 years the longer the better, but there is no evidence it helps after 10 years. I plan to get serious about a more alkaline diet and I MIGHT stop drinking - does red wine count? LOL😎

I didn't have ILC, but I believe in doing everything you can to prevent recurrence. Even at 10%, that is 10% greater chance of not having to face this again.

I've been on AI for almost 10 years because it decreases chance of recurrence by 30%. I didn't want to, but here I am and plan to go off of it in December this year.

In the begining I remember having stiff ankles when I would get up out of bed. It would take several steps to work it out, but it would go away. I have had issues losing weight when I gain weight, and some hair thinning.

I've been fortunate to not have anything I would consider excessive like some I've seen post here.