Should I Stop Taking Hormone Inhibitors at 77?

Jennifer I don’t think 77 is old. It’s not the same as our parents 77 in my opinion I would take it. I’m 67. I will be 68 next month. I’ve been on letrozole for a year and I don’t know if I should stay on it past 10 years I really don’t know, but I have all the aches and pains to go with it. I feel like an old lady.  But I know it’s helping me. I just can’t believe that we at our old age have to worry about estrogen who would think that after menopause we have so much estrogen I’ll take it as long as I have to. 

Thank you for your feedback.

I am 59 and I’m not taking it. I feel at ease with my decision

I am 65 and taking it! I walk every day for almost 1hour and a 1/2. It helps me with my joints. I pray and I do 5 minutes of meditation. You can do it👍. Good luck, don’t give up!!

Thank you for your feedback

@Maureen, I’m your age, with 8 more days of radiation, then oncology want me to start the Lev. I have been in menopause for 17 years, no ovaries, no breasts now, and how much estrogen suppression do we really need before it takes our quality of life and our bone health away? I’m afraid of taking it. I have a hip replacement surgery scheduled soon after radiation is over so I do not want to take a pill that makes my joints hurt! I’ve lived with enough pain in one year. My Oncotype score was 5, low.

 It’s definitely a personal decision. I understand all the issues that you’re having the only thing I feel is the joint pain. I don’t really feel anything else from it. My bone density test is really good. I have strong bones. I probably won’t have strong bones by the end of this, I don’t know . All I know is that it was the estrogen that was feeding the cancer I’m staying on the Leterzole

I also try to get a walk in at least four days a week. The only times I feel the joint pain is when I wake up in the morning or if I’m sitting on a couch too long, which at my age sometimes happens more than I want it to.  as long as I keep moving and walking, I have no pain at all.

Thanks for all your thoughts on aramadose inhibitors.  They actually have pinned a diagnosis to this medication aramadose inhibitor musculoskeletal syndrome.  I was started on a arimidex and after about eight months had intolerable hand pain couldn't even pick up a pen and right until 10 in the morning. My doctor switched me to the other one and it did not get any better. Hot flashes don't bother me one bit. Because of my age (75) and a decent onco score she switched me to tamoxifen, which is acceptable but a little less effective. So far that is going good. I will stay on something if it keeps this cancer away.  I think it will take some time to keep the tendinitis in my hands to clear up though. Good luck everybody you're a great bunch.

Great feedback.

I am 70 and had a double mastectomy in February 2024. Started Anastrozole. Side effects ( primarily sore joints) became very uncomfortable. Oncologist suggested I take a break for a few weeks and he would switch me to another AI. I was concerned that my risk of osteoporosis might be greater than cancer recurrence. My oncologist explained that based on my Oncotype test results, my risk of recurrence is 14% in 5 years if I take and AI, but jumps to 28% in 5 years without an AI. So now I am taking Letrozole. So far, side effects are not as bad, but it was a cumulative effect with Anastrozole, so we will see. I am taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Good luck!

I’m 77 and been taking Anastrozole for 3years. Side effects were bad in the beginning but are now very tolerable. I’ll continue taking it.

This is such an important decision that many face, and the side effects you're experiencing sound really challenging. Treatment decisions at any age involve weighing benefits against quality of life, and these conversations are deeply personal. Many community members have shared similar concerns about hormone therapy side effects and have found it helpful to discuss all options thoroughly with their oncology team, including potential ways to manage side effects or alternative approaches. Your medical team can provide the most personalized guidance based on your specific situation and help you make the choice that feels right for you.