Femara

Gramma44

I have recently been switched from Tamoxifen after 2 years, to Femara. I'd like to know if anyone feels strongly about whether or not Femara is a safe option. Tamoxifen, because it's been used for so many years, is proven. I'm a little nervous about being on a new class of drugs and would like to know if anyone is having problems with Femara or feel it is not a good choice. Or your reasons for thinking it IS a good change.

tlmac

Hi Gramma, I was diagnosed in January 2003 and finished my last chemo in May. That's when my onc wanted to start me on "the gold standard," Tamoxifen. I'd done extensive research on side effects and rates of recurrance and decided I wanted Arimidex instead. At that time, Femara wasn't available. Arimidex is an earlier generation of the Femara your doctor is swtiching you to. My good friend, Leslie, just went from stage 3 to stage 4 when her cancer went to liver and bone. She's only 45 and had been on Tamoxifen since finishing treatment. I decided I'd rather battle osteoporosis with Fosamax than the threat of uterine cancer or blood clots in the legs. There are, statistically, fewer recurrances and fewer deaths for those taking aromatase inhibitors like Femara and Arimidex than with Tamoxifen. There's tons of studies available online if you're interested. I tolerate Femara well with zero side effects and the joint aches associated with Arimidex are handled pretty well with Bextra. Essentially I take 3 pills instead of 1 because I feel safer. I've copied some information from one of the studies I just read, below, for you. Good luck!
terri
"Tamoxifen and Femara both block the growth of breast tumors that respond to estrogen, but the two drugs work in different ways. Tamoxifen interferes with the ability of breast cancer cells to use estrogen for growth, whereas exemestane interferes with the body's ability to make estrogen. Early findings from several large international trials have suggested that cancer is less likely to recur in women who take an AI after five years of tamoxifen or switch to an AI after a shorter period on tamoxifen. These studies involved other drugs in the AI class, specifically anastrozole (Arimidex®) and letrozole (Femara®). Unlike tamoxifen, AIs do not increase the risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots, or stroke."

SusanAnne

Hi Gramma. I was premenopausal before diagnosis so I began Tamoxifen after my chemo & radiation ended. I, like terri, did some research into aromatase inhibitors (AI's) and felt that for menopausal women, it was a more aggressive treatment. Now that I am a year + from diagnosis and have had the hormonal testing showing that I am menopausal, I will be switching soon to Arimidex at my request. I don't know the particulars of your cancer, but I was diagnosed at stage 3, Her2 pos, so I feel I need to be as aggressive as I can. Hope this helps settle your mind. Take care.
Susan

Gramma44

tlmac said:

Hi Gramma, I was diagnosed in January 2003 and finished my last chemo in May. That's when my onc wanted to start me on "the gold standard," Tamoxifen. I'd done extensive research on side effects and rates of recurrance and decided I wanted Arimidex instead. At that time, Femara wasn't available. Arimidex is an earlier generation of the Femara your doctor is swtiching you to. My good friend, Leslie, just went from stage 3 to stage 4 when her cancer went to liver and bone. She's only 45 and had been on Tamoxifen since finishing treatment. I decided I'd rather battle osteoporosis with Fosamax than the threat of uterine cancer or blood clots in the legs. There are, statistically, fewer recurrances and fewer deaths for those taking aromatase inhibitors like Femara and Arimidex than with Tamoxifen. There's tons of studies available online if you're interested. I tolerate Femara well with zero side effects and the joint aches associated with Arimidex are handled pretty well with Bextra. Essentially I take 3 pills instead of 1 because I feel safer. I've copied some information from one of the studies I just read, below, for you. Good luck!
terri
"Tamoxifen and Femara both block the growth of breast tumors that respond to estrogen, but the two drugs work in different ways. Tamoxifen interferes with the ability of breast cancer cells to use estrogen for growth, whereas exemestane interferes with the body's ability to make estrogen. Early findings from several large international trials have suggested that cancer is less likely to recur in women who take an AI after five years of tamoxifen or switch to an AI after a shorter period on tamoxifen. These studies involved other drugs in the AI class, specifically anastrozole (Arimidex®) and letrozole (Femara®). Unlike tamoxifen, AIs do not increase the risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots, or stroke."

Hi Timac. Thank you for your information. I was diagnosed in 2001 with a Stage I, estrogen positive, invasive lobular carcinoma (and a stage1 melanoma on my arm thrown in just to make things interesting!) I had six weeks of radiation followed by low dose chemo(5FU and methotrexate) for 6 months. After reading the info you attached, I now remember that is what my onc said when he switched me but at the time I didn't have anything to write it down and forgot why he was switching me (old age I think - I'm 60, or chemo brain still affecting me!). I guess I'm on the right path here and taking drugs similar to yours. I was already on Vioxx for arthritis, and Fosamax for osteoporosis, so now I have my Femara to add to the mix. I too am relieved to be rid of the fear of developing blood clots or uterine cancer. I'll exercise and lose weight and take my Fosamax and hope the cancer doesn't return.
Thank you again for your help!

Gramma

krisrey

Hi Gramma,
I was dx premenopausal so I am on tamoxifen, but my doctor just recently said that I will be possible switched to Femara in two years. Here is an article that was recently passed to me...Its very interesting and speaks of exactly what you want to know.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/HEALTH/conditions/06/08/cancer.drug.reut/index.html
According to this article, this is going to be a fantastic option for after tamoxifen or already post menopausal women.
Let me know how you make out.
kris

tlmac

Gramma, Just recently had blood work done and checked by my oncologist. All numbers, except cholesterol, were perfect. Cholesterol jumped from 187 to 240 and he suggested I try adjusting my diet to bring it down. Then today I was reading a recent article on the benefits of Femara which also listed possible side effects. Increase in bad cholesterol is one of them. I wanted you to be aware of this because an increase in LDL raises the chance of heart disease, just in case yours takes a jump like mine did.
terri