I was iffy about it because I feared osteoporosis. My GP had the same kind of cancer I had and she said that exercise (strengthening) can prevent that and even reverse osteoporosis. I got a baseline bone scan. When I get another a year later they can see how my bones are doing. I don't have hot flashes or any other side effects. My oncologist said that my chances of recurrence are about 9 percent without the anastrozole and about 3 percent with it. A friend with a similar cancer told me that women who take it live on average 4 years longer. BTW I didn't know about stray cancer cells hanging around that cause recurrence. That makes sense. Thanks for that info. I hope everyone will do what's best for her. Quality of life has to be considered. I'm going to continue with the Anastrozole. I've saved every bottle (including the instructions that are glued to every bottle cap). I'm going to make a sculpture with the 60 bottles. Goodnight 😴❤️.

Respectfully, AIs reduce the risk - not eliminate the possibility - of recurrence. I don't tell anyone else what to do but I'm comfortable with the decisions I've made. ☺️

Thank you for your post Barbara. I finished up radiation in May and I had already refused chemo. I was stage one grade 2, and based on the mamma, print test had a higher risk of recurrence . I have yet to take the AI because I was too afraid of the side effects. I think now I should at least try it.

One of the worst side effects of AIs is that they cause osteoporosis, or make it worse if you already have it. Yes, there are drugs that can help lessen this side effect of AIs, but they have their own scary side effects. When the drug you're taking to lessen the side effect from one drug has its own set of side effects, it's time to consider whether to go down the rabbit hole of promises or opt for quality of life.

I asked my doctor, "Do I really have to take this for 5 years?" He said studies have shown that those who take it have a better chance of survival than those who don't. What's more, those who take it for 2 years have a better chance than those who only take it for 1. And so on through the 5 years. At first I had really awful leg pain. But now, I have almost none. I'm approaching the completion of my 2nd year. So, I would advise you to hang in there.