Breast cancer drugs should be given for 10 years, study shows

I do don't understand the paragraph starting "significantly fewer those" it doesn't make sense. Can someone explain ?  Thanks Sue  

I think it means of the 1918 women in the study, those who took letrozole for 10 years, compared to those who took it for 15, had a recurrence or new tumour! You're right though Suzyq39 it isn't very clear. I would say though, I don't think these studies are always terribly helpful. I've been taking Herceptin since 2012 as my Oncologist is of the opinion that it's better to be safe than sorry, he's told me I'll be taking it for an indefinite period. I must admit I'd rather take it than not, if my cancer comes back it won't be good news!

Thanks for that Maddoglady.  I wish they would read what they write so it is easy to understand.  There is so much conflicting information that it is hard to know what is the right decision to make on your own treatment options.  I am glad you feel that your oncologist is helping you with your decision.  I have been today to see the doctor that was coordinating the radiation, he is really nice and always answers all your questions, treats you like a person and not a number!  Good luck with your treatment.  Are you having any side effects from the Herceptin? 

Hi Suzyq I do get side effects with Herceptin but to be honest it varies from week to week so I've become quite used to them now. The worst side effect from it is the effect it can have on the heart, however I have ecg scans periodically and so far so good. It has affected my eyesight oddly enough in that it affects the way my eyes focus. It can also cause runny eyes and nose and General flu like symptoms, such as aches and pains, but it isn't all the time. I can go for weeks and feel absolutely fine and then I might get a day or two when I feel really rubbish. Still I'd rather have that than have the cancer come back.

You are very lucky that your oncologist is so forthcoming, I've had a five year battle with mine to discuss my treatment openly. I'm one of those annoying people who likes to know stuff about stuff and then make an informed decision, he subscribes to the "there, there you're doing ever so well, don't worry you're pretty little head about it, we'll decide what's best" it's led to some very interesting and heated exchanges, but he's learning!

Hope everything is going well for you.

Hi Maddoglady - thanks for you reply. Like you I asked loads of questions and even taped the appointment to make sure I had all the information. As you say some are very matter of fact about stuff and think you shouldn't ask questions about your own body!! I think a lot just of patients find all the information mind blowing and don't ask questions.  I even asked the doctor if he would have radiation and he just avoided it saying that he wasn't in my situation. I am also not impressed with the so called "prevention" no one seems to be interested just wants your donations to line the drug companies pockets.  Apologies if this sounds awful but that's what I have come across.  Speak soon and take care and keep well xxx 

Hi Suzyq it doesn't sound awful at all, I know exactly what you mean, at times I've wanted to scream at my medical team, in fact I think on occasion I actually have! As time has gone on I've become a bit more understanding and they have learned not to step on my corns! we've now agreed on a love/hate relationship.

I don't know whether you've come across him yet but there is a chap on the internet called Chris Woollams of CANCERactive. He writes some fascinating articles and has collected information from a host of experts. He's very much of the "tell it like it actually is" mentality and some of the things he shares are interesting and useful and he doesn't do mawkish. I didn't find him at the outset but I wish I had as I've found him to be a useful source of information. Take care xx