I would just like to say good luck, my first appointment at the breast clinic was yesterday and they suspect it's cancer, but I am waiting for the biopsies and scan results, in 10 days time xx

Hello blods 

I started to take Letrozole (Femara) two weeks ago too!! However because I seem to have an inbuilt aversion to hormones (!)  I am only taking them every other day. I DON’T advocate that of course it’s just my choice with the idea of reducing side affects (alongside of course reducing effectiveness!!) I have had an operation to remove the tumour and radiotherapy so am being prescribed hormones now for 5 years. Supposed to be anyway  

So far so good. I MAY increase the dose IF I continue to go well. Just see how things pan out. I kind of value quality of life as well as wanting a long life. It’s a bumpy road to manage really. 

Pleaee keep me posted on how you experience Letrozole. What brand are you taking just for interest? I can’t get Femara on the NHS because of the cost of it. It’s a postcode situation apparently. Some women can have it and some can’t. Very unfair as I am paying a lot of money just to obtain the tablet I want. Anyway such is life. 

Take great care. All the best to you of course.

Kebbs x 

Hi there

I'm also new to these forums, I've just started taking Letrozole 4 days ago after being diagnosed with pre cancerous cells.  I was first told it would be a lumpectomy, the after further biopsy's they decided on a mastectomy.  To be honest I am struggling to get my head round the  severery of such an operation.  Don't get me wrong I feel blessed that they have found these cells early.  
 

The side affects for me so far has been tiredness and low mood. 
 

I have thought about reconstruction with an implant but I'm worried how it will feel?  I'm also was worried that I may need some radiotherapy if they did find traces,  my cells are medium grade.  
 

Good luck Healthy61. I hope you get good news. Knowing about all the options available to me, and talking to the surgeon and the breast nurses to get as much information as possible, really helped me once I knew my diagnosis. x

Hi Kebbs - the Letrozole just comes in a generic box labelled Letrozole.... but I just checked the accompanying leaflet and it says Accord at the top. Tbh I didn't think about there being an alternative... or appreciate that there could be a difference between brands. 

I've taken nearly 3 weeks worth and I don't think it's my imagination but the lump does seem smaller... I was told that it has been known to shrink tumours but didn't expect to notice any difference. It's very near the surface of my skin so it's easy to feel and judge. I'll see what my surgeon says when I have my next telephone appt next month. 

Wishing you all the best with your recovery. x

Hi lyndaloo - I couldn't process the thought of a simple mastectomy then waiting months, maybe a year or more (or more!) for the reconstruction. So the Letrozole was my path of choice until I can get both done together.

I have had the occasional day of feeling flat too... but it's hard to know if it's the drug or just the situation! 

I think reconstruction with implants is very successful these days. I know my friends' breast implants (cosmetic only) feel pretty real! 

I had radiotherapy after my lumpectomy 30 years ago and I was fine. I was very careful about washing and touching the area etc and I didn't get any scarring at all. My cancer is grade II as well and very receptive to hormones so that's why the Letrozole should have a particularly positive effect. 

Let's all keep in touch about any side effects and compare notes. 

Wishing you lots of strength to move through this. These girls CAN. xx

Thanks blods. 

Thats very encouraging that you think its shrinking the lump. Brilliant. Hoping it carries on diminishing!! Please keep me posted on the progress.

Hoping you have minimal side affects from this drug.  So far so good then for both of us!! 

Stay safe,

Kebbs x 

Thanks this extra information is really helpful,  I have an appointment at the clinic at the end of this week.  I think if I understand and process all the info it well help me move forward.  I can't bear the thought of a mastectomy without reconstruction.  I'm just not sure about the type of reconstruction I will opt for at this point.  Good luck with the drug, my symptoms are coming thick and fast.  I was on patches up until a couple of months ago, now it's cold turkey and lots of flashes regularly.  I'm really glad this drug is keeps me safe in the meantime.

Take care

Hi I am currently taking letrozole, due to a delay in surgery, diagnosed grade 2 invasive, size 11mm awaiting mri, lymph node scan 4 weeks ago was fine and hoping they check them again on my mri in just over a weeks time.  Any advice please x

Hi Shazlarr - your diagnosis sounds very similar to mine, and the size of the tumor too. I waited from April to October last year for mastectomy/reconstruction and in that time the tumor shrunk by a third, according to a second ultrasound scan. 

I've been taking Letrozole for a year now and don't have any noticeable side effects. The very occasional hot flush - but that's all. (I'm 63) Because of the risk of bone-thinning with the drug I'm awaiting results of a bone scan.. But if there is any issue they can address that with another medication. 

Wishing you courage and lots of positive thinking for a successful surgery. I am sure it will be. Recovery has its own challenges of course - more emotional and psychological than physical - but it's a process. Try and look forward to the 6 month horizon - the landscape feels very very different at that point. At least it did for me.