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>>>Dr. Margileth: Like all treatments for cancer, one has to analyze the benefits of
the treatment and the risks and toxicity of the treatment. In the case of the aromatase
inhibitors, they have been found to be slightly better than tamoxifen in decreasing the risk
of local and systemic recurrence after breast cancer. The more ominous the breast cancer
the more likely one is to get a benefit from either tamoxifen or an aromatase inhibitor.
So that the indication is based on the nature of the breast cancer with larger tumors or
node-positive tumors having more benefit and then obviously the toxicity can only be assessed
in each individual patient. At some level, if the patient has a terrible time with an
aromatase inhibitor, one would certainly not want to expose the patient to that level of
toxicity for five years and would either switch to another aromatase inhibitor or more likely
switch to tamoxifen, which is only slightly less beneficial than the aromatase inhibitor.
So the decision is based on, number one, the characteristics of the cancer and, number
two, the individual patient’s level of toxicity. Most patients on an aromatase inhibitor can
take five years without a whole lot of trouble; mostly the problems being nuisance level,
arthralgias, or joint pain and muscle pain. But about 5% or 10% percent of women have
enough trouble on the aromatase inhibitors that one might go to another drug such as
tamoxifen. *****
Hi, I am Dr. Jay Harness and I want to share with you an important information that I believe
that every newly diagnosed patient with breast cancer needs to know.
Susan Denver: “I am a breast cancer survivor.”
Katherine Stockton: “I am a breast cancer survivor.”
Coree: “I am a breast cancer survivor…”
Susan Denver: “…and I want every woman to know…”
Katherine Stockton: “…about personalized breast cancer treatment…”
Susan Denver: “…and the Genomic Test.”
Coree: “A test that helps guide a woman and her doctor…”
Katherine Stockton: “…to the best treatment options for her.”
Susan Denver: “Pass it on!”