Stopping Letrozole

[7164]

Good afternoon.

My wife had breast cancer 5 years ago. Lorraine was treated in Newcastle with surgery/radiotherapy. Happily all is good.

Lorraine has been on Letrozole for nearly five years and here in Scotland the practice is to stop the Letrozole at the five year mark. My wife is nervous about stopping and is talking about stopping dairy products etc just in case oestrogen causes the cancer to return.

So, the question is what is the evidence about:

Stopping the Letrozole after 5 years

Will stopping it increase the risk of the cancer returning

Will stopping milk products have an adverse effect on her calcium/bone density levels (they were fine a year ago).

Will the NHS in Scotland continue to prescribe the Letrozole if we ask

I want to research the above but as a member of this site on different forums I know that there are people who have gone through this and will have positive advice.

Thank you

Rod

[pinkMarshmellow]

Hey, I'm being treated with Letrozole for my breast cancer, too. I was explained that there is a maximum time on the medication as at that point it stops adding a benefit in treatment. I.e. if we take it longer than that the risk stays the same as stopping to take it.

I'm also ER+ and typically it is the soy products and sweet potatoes I avoid because they have more estrogen in them. Before attempting to go dairy free I think Lorraine might want to check in with her GP or a dietician to suss out her best way to increase calcium intake.

Hope your support assures and encourages Lorraine. All the best!