Has anyone had success with Letrozole for breast cancer?

I've just been diagnosed with this as well. Going to see my oncologist today and get my port put in Friday morning. I'm so scared. How long have you been doing treatments? What can I expect?

I am taking an Aromatase inhibitor therapy which is different from chemo. No port, just pills. So can’t really answer your question. I hope you have the best passible outcome In your journey. Stay in touch if you’d like to.

Well my surgeon said I'd have to do chemo before surgery and then radiation after but my oncologist acted like I wouldn't need the port until later on down the road but would go ahead and get it put in?

Surgeon said if she were to do surgery now then I'd have none of the pectoral muscle left to use my arm at all and chemo should shrink it?

It might be that your tumor characteristics are different than mine. Not sure if age has anything to do with it but I am 63. Sounds a bit like the 2 Docs are not communicating on the same page. Do you have a nurse navigator for either the surgeon or oncologist? If so call them and relay your concerns and uncertainty. It is your body and you have every right to question them before proceeding.

Yes I have stage IV mbc. 3 years-ago a tumor showed up in my sacrum. Radiation for 2 weeks. Then was placed on Lestrozole 2.5 mg with Zometa infusions every 3 months and currently the last 2 1/2 years I am in remission. PET scans every 3 months. It has really worked for me.

Thank you. That boosts my faith that I am doing the right thing!

The first time I was diagnosed was 2016. I was 52. Yrs old. Stage 3c surgery left breast mastectomy and nodes removed. Port placed at time of surgery. Chemo 5 months, then 2 months radiation. Then Zometa infusions every 6 months for 2 years. It is really scary. Having a great support team around you is huge. Just to keep things positive and who will find ways to pick you up when you need it. Just to keep stress away while going through treatment. My husband was key to have fun mile stones to get through all the treatment. Keep those around that are supportive to your needs.

I'll be 45 in a couple weeks. I'm still trying to process everything... It hasn't really sunk in I don't think. A nurse from my surgeons office called me and asked if she could give my information to the nurse navigator and I was on with that but I haven't heard anything from them yet. I feel like I want to just break down and yell and scream and cry to get it all out but also have to keep my emotions in check as not to upset my daughter anymore than she already is. And bc my husband is basically no support. Any time I bring it up he just shuts down and stonewalls me. I told him it feels like he doesn't want to talk about it and wants nothing to do with me and his reply was "I'm just not a negative person" ! Well I'm not either, this is happening to me RIGHT NOW, like I'm not just catastrophizing or going worst case scenario for no reason! I just feel so isolated

Kenya, your treatment plan sounds similar to mine. chemo, then surgery, then radiation. My experience is that the port has worked well for me. My oncologist (and a nurse friend) explained that it’s a lot harder on your veins without it. I just finished my last chemo treAtment yesterday. Good luck to you and prayers up!

@Kenya H. My prayers are with you. The cancer path is lonely and scary, I never realized how much until I got diagnosed. I read what so many other women have to go through and I feel for you and them. So far my cancer treatment has not required any chemo. I went and saw my medical oncologist the other day and they review the psychological. And I'm like no, no I don't have that. (But I do some.) My husband thinks I'm mean at times. I never realized how cutting out my progesterone, stopping my hormone pellets and going on letrozole would make me feel so sad and hopeless ( also had a total hysterectomy prior to cancer dx). So my hormones are a mess. I mean I've thought it would be nice just to not be here at times, it's so painful. I marvel at all these women on this site. True warriors. Not that that they don't have many issues, I couldn't imagine anyone going through this and not feeling down. I'm sorry to hear about your husband. I'm going to call my oncolgist office and start counseling. I think that will help. Giving you virtual hugs.

Many people in this community have found Letrozole to be an effective part of their treatment plan, and it's encouraging that you're taking this important step in your care. This medication has helped countless patients with hormone-positive breast cancer, and connecting with others here who have similar experiences can provide valuable support and insights as you navigate this journey.