I have been taking Letrozole for nearly 5 years but started on Anastrazole. Had some joint pain with Anastrazole so was changed to Letrozole which wasn’t quite as bad. Was hoping to stop taking it this year after 5 years was up but was diagnosed with breast cancer again this year in the other breast. Just had mastectomy and will now have to keep on taking it! 

Hi Mary,

Welcome back to our forum, although I'm really sorry to hear why you've returned. Is this still a primary cancer of the same type? I hope that you are recovering well following your mastectomy. I took Tamoxifen for the first year after my lumpectomy, then discovered another cancer in the same breast. 

At that stage my consultant changed me to Letrozole, as he said that the Tamoxifen hadn't worked for me. I can fully understand how gutted you feel having taken Letrozole for almost 5 years. Has your consultant suggested changing your treatment, when you have developed a second cancer, despite having taken Letrozole for so long?

Please keep in touch and let us know how you get on. As you know, we are always here for you.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine thanks for your reply. Last time it was DCIS, had lumpectomy and radiotherapy for the right breast which was picked up on a routine mammogram 5 years ago. This time I felt a lump in the left breast, very obvious. It is a lobular type quite large cancer. Mastectomy was done and 5 lymph nodes taken nearly 4 weeks ago. Have had more pain from the lymph node area than the mastectomy site.

Have appointment this afternoon to see my brilliant Consultant for results of Oncotype DX testing to see if chemotherapy will be needed. I’m pretty sure he said I would continue to take Letrozole in the future. Will ask this afternoon.

Will definitely let you know how things go and what the plan is going forward.

All best wishes.

Mary xx

Hi Mary,

I am now nearly 15 years down the line. I had a double mastectomy second time around and, like you, had more pain from the site where the lymph nodes were removed. I hope that the appointment with your consultant went well this afternoon and that there is no need for chemo. Did you get the chance to ask about continuing to take Letrozole?

You should soon know the plan for moving forward and, I'm sure that you'll feel better to know how your future is planned out.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine saw the registrar this afternoon. Everything is healing well and lymph nodes all clear. Unfortunately the results of the Oncotype DX not yet back. If no chemo needed will have to take Exemastane which I don’t know much about xx

Hi Mary.

I am glad to hear that your lymph nodes are clear. I'm sure that you were disappointed that your Oncotype results weren't back yet. Have they said how much longer they expect it to take, before these results come back?

As far as I know Exemestane also goes under the brand name of Aromasin  and is an Aromatase inhibitor. Side-effects are pretty similar to those of hormone tablets. Here's hoping that you won't need chemo.

Jolamine xx

Hi Mary.

I am glad to hear that your lymph nodes are clear. I'm sure that you were disappointed that your Oncotype results weren't back yet. Have they said how much longer they expect it to take, before these results come back?

As far as I know Exemestane also goes under the brand name of Aromasin  and is an Aromatase inhibitor. Side-effects are pretty similar to those of hormone tablets. Here's hoping that you won't need chemo.

Jolamine xx