Hi Danielle,

I have had 2 bouts of breast cancer in the past 11 years. For the first year I took Tamoxifen, but when I discovered a second primary less than a year later, I was changed over to Letrozole. I had side-effects with both and, I took the Letrozole for 7 years. 

My parents both had severe Osteo Arthritis, so it is difficult to say whether or not I would have succumbed to this without taking Letrozole. My joints have given me a lot of pain since taking Letrozole and, I had to have both knees replaced while I was taking it. I had a number of other side-effects too. I stopped taking this in July 2017 and still have a lot of pain in my joints. 

I think that it is true to say that no treatment for cancer is without some sort of side-effect. Having said this, life is about compromises and, I am still here to tell the tale, so I certainly believe that I made the right choice.

One thing to remember is that not everyone gets adverse effects. Some people sail through treatment with no bother at all.

I hope that things go well with your mum and, that she is one of the lucky people who sails through.

Please let us know how she gets on. We are always here for both of you.

Kindest regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine, thanks for your reply! 

I'm so sorry to hear of your side effects, but I lost my Dad in 2019 and I know no side effects of treatment with ever come close to the pain of late stage cancer. It's a blessing my mums was considered early stages so we are very grateful and even throughout Covid the NHS have been brilliant, a few delays here and there but ultimately they saved my mother's life.

Although she didn't need chemo as she had An Oncotype test and her score was under the base score for Chemo, It is a shame that once the cancer is gone it isn't just a case of carrying on. I have my fingers crossed my mum doesn't have any major side effects & gets through this as best she can I have faith in the NHS and her Oncologists so I'm sure they'll support where they can.

If you don't mind me asking when you was on Letrozole did they by any chance offer you bisphosphonates?

Thanks for your very kind words I was so worried about posting on this forum but I'm so glad I did now! 

Take care

Danielle