Hello Linda and a big welcome to our forum! 

It is normal to be scared after reading the possible side effects that may be caused by a drug but try not to worry too much as it is impossible to tell until you have started the treatment what side effects you may suffer if any. We have detailed information on our website on letrozole which you can read here and which may be useful to you. I think if your consultant prescribed this treatment it is because they believe it is of benefit to you. It is excellent news that the histology was good and that there was no lymph node involvement and that you feel very well but it is important to talk to your consultant if you have any questions or any doubts about this treatment or if you are considering not starting it or stopping it. Your consultant will be best placed to tell you what the benefits are and if there are risks associated to you not taking letrozole. 

Our nurses are available on this free number 0808 800 4040 - their line is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm so do give them a call if you want to talk to them about this. 

We have had a lot of members share their Letrozole experiences on the forum before. If you want to read previous threads on the subject, all you need to do is click on the 'search forum' function in the blue banner above and enter the keyword 'letrozole'. You will then be able to see past threads on the subject and feel free to respond to any that you feel would be relevant to you. 

I hope you can talk to your doctor or consultant about this soon so that you have all the information you need to help you decide what is best for you. 

Best wishes, 

Lucie, Cancer Chat Moderator

I had a mastectomy 6 years ago and like you Histology good and after 15 sessions of radiotherapy was prescribed Letrozole for 5 years.  Never being a pill taker the only problem I had was remembering to take it every mornng. I had no adverse side effects but I did put on a little extra weight, I think the drug manufacturers just list possible side effects to clear themselves ! but if you are at all worried just discuss it with your breast care nurse or doctor and I am sure they will reassure you.  Take care Nita51

Hi Linda,

Welcome to the forum. I had a double mastectomy 9 years ago. and, had no lymph node involvment either. I had a lumpectomy the previous year and was surprised to have another new primary only a year later. I took Tamoxifen the first time and followed this up with Letrozole second time around. Fortunatey, both were grade 1 pure mucinous cancers.

I stopped taking the Letrozole after 6 years. That was in July 2017. I had most of the side-effects mentioned, but consider this a small price to pay for still being here 10 years after my diagnosis. You would probably find it helpful to discuss the possible effects of not taking it at all with your consultant. S/he will know exactly what the figures are.

I was discussing this with Siennaanna on 27th September (Double Mastectomy/stage 1 - 2 breast cancer) and, she told me that her surgeon had advised her that Letrosole only increases the chance of a non recurrence of cancer by 2% - 3%! It’s such a small percentage!

There are workarounds for some of the side-effects and often, using a different manufacturer of the Letrozole can help. If you continue to have problems after this, then there are alternative treatments.

I hope that you manage to find a solution to the problems that you are having.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx