Monday, November 23, 2009

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On Women Blog - U.S. News & World Report

Keeping Breast Cancer From Coming Back

March 19, 2008 01:25 PM ET | Deborah Kotz | Permanent Link | Print

Reader Comments

Cancerfree

Its a great news. So I am here in the Pacific when are you going to share with my people who fight with this terrible disease.

Famara

I have experienced some bad side effects as a result of taking Famara. I had joint pain, gained too much weigth which I find very hard to lose and I would like to know if there's something else that could be substitued for this drug. I would like to stop taking it immediately.

Brenda

FAMARA

I was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago this month. I refused to take tamoxifen, due to heart problems it can cause. I have been on all the aromatase inhibitors trying to find one that my body would accept without the harsh side effects. I'm currently on Famara. This is an observation that might help others. I have taken arthritis medications since I was 48 years old; I'm now 61. Because, I needed to have a procedure, I needed to go off of my arthritis meds (Mobic) for 7-10 days. While off of my arthritis meds I experienced serious joint pain I hadn't had before while taking the inhibitors, as soon as, I started back on the arthritis meds the joint pain went away. I believe this observation could help others with at least one of the side effects associated with these aromatase inhibitors. It makes sense, seeing we are bascially experiencing arthritis pain, that meds could be used to help reduce joint pain for breast cancer patients.

Cancer Cured Guaranteed

Please visit http://www.cancer cured.org/ If they treat & the cancer comes back they will give your money back and give you any treatment your want... Cannot beat that. Check this web site www.cancercured.org/ and then print this comment . I am a 76 year old pharmacist and I know the person who wrote this book, Mr. Fred Hughes and he is one of the most honest persons I have ever met. I wager you will not print this. John Chambliss Live Oak, Florida 32060=6367

Keeping breast cancer from recurring

I read your blog entry about the MA-17 study on Femara and thought it was really informative. I too have a friend who developed breast cancer as a pre-menopausal woman and had a difficult time navigating her tamoxifen therapy and when to start an AI. The blog report provided a great discussion on what a woman (along with her doctor) needs to discuss before making a decision on therapy. The entry was a nice blend of useful information, but felt personal enough that I could totally relate as if I was in the room as well.

The only comment I found confounding was this:

Toward the end of the party, my friends and I joke about the pros and cons of turning 40 (better sex drive, greater confidence; more body fat, less muscle). Panina, with a wisdom beyond her years, says, "I'll just consider it a blessing when I make it to 40."

When I turned 40 I definitely had greater confidence, more fat in crummy locations, less muscle (that is now that fat), but the better sex drive? Darn, I missed that one!

Keeping breast cancer from recurring

After taking tamoxifen for four years, my oncologist put me on Aromisin. Within two months I experienced severe peripheral neuropathy in both my fingers and toes.

I then chose not to take anything anymore. I was tired of the hot flashes, chemobrain, extra weight, leg cramps and the numbness and pain of the neuropathy.

Now 8 1/2 years later, and the neuropathy and chemobrain have faded somewhat . . . now they're just minor annoyances, BUT the good news is that I am still cancer free! Yay! The rest I can live with!

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About On Women

Deborah Kotz, senior writer for U.S. News & World Report, covers everything women care about when it comes to their health. She's often tapping out "Oprah-esque" confessions about how the latest news relates to her personally—whether it's on breast cancer, contraception or easing work-family stress. She'd love to hear your confessions too at onwomen@usnews.com. Also, you can follow Deborah on Twitter at twitter.com/debkotz2.

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