... breast cancer? I simply do not want the side effects they will give me
Anastrozole - What are my risks if I decide not to take hormone therapy drugs after my surgery for?
Question posted by lauradale on 9 April 2014
Last updated on 9 March 2023 by Jstclair
8 Answers
Jstclair
10 March 2023
I was on Femara which is in the same class as Anastrazole for my first year. It caused unbearable pain in my already arthritic joints especially my wrists. My Dr. switched me to Tamoxifen which was a Godsend. That was 11 years ago last May. My breast cancer was ER+PR- advanced to nodes. I had a lumpectomy chemo and radiation. Went organic and mostly vegetarian and I’m still here!
Tdp1962
30 Aug 2021
I had stage one breast cancer in 2017. ER PR positive HER2 negative. I refuse the lectures all in 2018 because of the serious side effects I felt would decrease my quality of life. Here it is August 20 21 and my breast cancer has metastasize in my bones. Now they are prescribing the medication again. This time I think I’ll take the anastrozole. I’m thinking if I would’ve taken it in 2018I might be cancer free by now
AZMIgal
18 Aug 2020
I am a 71 year old woman just finishing 33 radiation treatments for Stage2 breast cancer. I had a lumpectomy. I am seriously considering not taking the 5 year drug plan of anastrozole because of the debilitating side effects. I tried it for four weeks and did not like my reaction to it. I have heard both good and bad about how people did with this drug. If anyone has gone without this treatment, please let me know your reasoning. Thanks so much.
Funkynana
19 March 2018
I am 77yrs old, had a lumpectomy, caught early. I already suffer with depression, anxiety, headaches, sleeping disorder, arthritis, weight problem. I have decided not to take the drug,anastrozole. We are travelers, I do not want to feel extra pressure with this drug.
Funkynana
lucyMed
7 Nov 2018
Funkynana, I also suffer all of the above you are suffering and more, I wonder all the time if this is the right decision I have taking. I too did not take this drug after early detection and refuse radiation. Any helpful hints will help me make the right choice. Thanks
Kauna123
11 March 2015
I know this question is a year old, but I'm answering just in case someone else is searching out the same question.
The risks are legion of forgoing treatment are legion - you could have a recurrence and that could mean all sorts of dire conclusions. You have to do something to treat the cancer and do it consistently. I waited 2.5 years to begin taking Anastrozole for fear of the side effects. Instead; I took up to 10 supplements a day; altered nearly every aspect of my diet; changed my use of shampoos, lotions etc; and tried a number of other holistic treatments. I am in remission and there is no reasons to think the natural route wasn't working for my Stage 1 breast cancer. But the 99% ER positive tumor with a 75% progesterone level finally became something I couldn't comfortably continue to play around with thru experimental treatments.
So, a week into taking the Anastrozole I'm a little nauseated for a few hours a day, I'm slightly tired, and I'm not thrilled to have given in to this chemical treatment. But for now, this seems like the right thing to do, and I wish I'd made this decision earlier. My advice, think long and hard and research your decision before deciding to not do the traditional treatment route.
AWorkinProgress
10 April 2014
I took Femara (Letrozole) it's 1 of the 3 aromatase inhibitors in the same class as Arimadex (Anastrozole), the other being Aromasin (Exemestane). I didn't take it for the full 5 years that most oncologists recommend. I cut it short because the aches and pains got to be too much. Discovered later most were due to a bad hip that needed replacing. I had hot-flashes but they subsided after the first year or so.
Overall, I would agree with others about "better to be safe than sorry," but you have to weigh it out based on you and your level of comfort and confidence. There are options - you don't have to start it immediately and you don't have to take it exactly 5 years. Start it - if you can't stand the side-effects - stop. If you decide not to take it initially, but a few months later wake up at night worrying if you're making a mistake - call your doc and ask to start.
I don't know your situation, but I doubt anything is in stone. I'm a 10 year survivor and one thing cancer taught me: "Life is a crap shoot." I know that's not very classy, but you roll the dice and what you get - is what you get. Other than that, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that the decisions you make are the right ones, and that you are committed to be healthy and remain that way, are probably the best "side effects" out of the whole experience.
Be well Laura and God bless.
jfed51
9 April 2014
I have been told that this is the best of all of the post-breast cancer drugs. I took Tamoxifen for 2 years and then my medical oncologist switched me over to anastrozole for the next three years. I do have much more intense hot flashes and some joint pain increase, but all in all, I think it's much more beneficial than getting breast cancer again. Anastrozole is also better to take than tamoxifen for weight gain, too. I gained 25 lbs. on tamoxifen. From my research, it looks like the new recommendation is to take anastrozole for all 5 years of post op and post radiation treatment. Better to be safe than sorry, I'd say.
Theonlymouse
27 Oct 2016
how about the fact that they are now saying that you should be on this for at least 10 years and sometimes for the rest of your life, that is a bit much.
kaismama
9 April 2014
I don't blame you for not wanting the side effects but its pretty important to take it. Some breast cancers are estrogen receptive and you want to cut out all the estrogen you can.
Related topics
breast cancer, cancer, anastrozole, side effect, surgery, breast, hormone
Further information
- Anastrozole uses and safety info
- Anastrozole prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Anastrozole (detailed)
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