Why are aromatase inhibitors 5 years?

Treatment with an aromatase inhibitor for 5 years as up-front monotherapy or after tamoxifen therapy is the treatment of choice for hormone-receptor–positive early breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Extending treatment with an aromatase inhibitor to 10 years may further reduce the risk of breast-cancer recurrence.

What is aromatase inhibitors used for?

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) lower estrogen levels by stopping an enzyme in fat tissue (called aromatase) from changing other hormones into estrogen. (Estrogen can fuel the growth of breast cancer cells.) These drugs don’t stop the ovaries from making estrogen.

Can you take letrozole longer than 10 years?

Letrozole is usually taken for five years, although some women take letrozole for five years after completing five years of the hormone therapy tamoxifen.

What is adjuvant aromatase inhibitor therapy?

Background: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are standard hormone therapy (HT) for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal endocrine-sensitive early breast cancer.

Do I really need an aromatase inhibitor?

Aromatase inhibitors are typically used to treat people who have already experienced menopause. These medications do not affect estrogen production in the ovaries. Since that’s where most estrogen comes from, aromatase inhibitors are not usually recommended for people with fully functioning ovaries.

Who should take aromatase inhibitors?

Aromatase inhibitors are medications that help lower estrogen levels. They’re also called hormone therapy or endocrine therapy. For some people with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (one of the most common types), aromatase inhibitors are a safe, effective treatment.

Are aromatase inhibitors safe?

Aromatase inhibitors were proven to be safe, convenient and effective for the treatment of hormone sensitive breast cancer in women although their use is associated with a modest increase in bone resorption [2,3].

Can you take letrozole forever?

You usually take letrozole once a day – try to take it at the same time each day. Most people are given letrozole for 5 years, but some will take it for up to 10 years. Common side effects can be like menopause symptoms and include hot flushes, difficulty sleeping, tiredness and low mood.

What happens when you stop taking letrozole after 5 years?

Stopping letrozole Some people worry about stopping their treatment, but there’s evidence that letrozole continues to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back for many years after you stop taking it. However, not taking the drug for the recommended time may increase the risk of your breast cancer coming back.

How much does aromatase inhibitor reduce risk of recurrence?

“We found the rate of cancer recurrence averaged 21% lower for the women who received aromatase inhibitors,” Regan states.

Do aromatase inhibitors cause weight gain?

Weight gain is commonly reported by breast cancer patients on tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors.