CommunitiesBreast CancerIs exemestane worth the side effects after letrozole didn't prevent recurrence?

Is exemestane worth the side effects after letrozole didn't prevent recurrence?

JS

Community Member

3 days ago

Hi! 9 years ago I had a lumpectomy for stage 1 lobular in my left breast. Degradation and 7 years of letrozole. Recently they found cancer in my right breast( stage 2) and I had a double mastectomy. My oncologist now wants me to start exemestane. My concern is about what it will do to my heart, bones etc. obviously the letrozole didn’t keep the cancer away. Is it worth taking something new, having it effect other things and possibly not keep cancer from popping up again.

2 comments
Comment
JS

Community Member

3 days ago

Not degradation… radiation

CA

Community Member

2 days ago

This decision about continuing hormone therapy after experiencing a second cancer diagnosis is incredibly difficult and deeply personal. Many people in similar situations wrestle with weighing the potential benefits of treatment against quality of life concerns and side effects. Your oncologist can help explain the specific reasons they're recommending exemestane in your particular case, including how it differs from letrozole and what the current research shows about its effectiveness. Consider asking about monitoring strategies for bone and heart health, as well as discussing your concerns about the previous treatment experience - this information can help inform the best path forward for your unique situation.

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