Updates on effects of aromatase inhibitors?
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, dedicated to developing programs that improve the well-being of women treated for breast cancer.
Question from Santa: Have we learned more on the long-term secondary effects of aromatase inhibitors?
- Answer —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.:
This was very reassuring. We heard the results of the ATAC trial which compared 5 years of tamoxifen vs. 5 years of anastrozole (brand name: Arimidex) and heard 10-year results of this study. It appears that the risk of osteoporosis in patients who do not have osteoporosis to begin with is exceedingly low. In other words, if your bones are healthy going into treatment with an aromatase inhibitor, at the end of 5 years you're very likely to maintain bone health. As you know, however, for women who already have thinning of the bones or osteoporosis, the aromatase inhibitors can make this worse. There was also a poster presentation that suggested that memory and other cognitive symptoms which some of us worry about with the aromatase inhibitors were not worse in women on the aromatase inhibitors. The cancer professionals are very aware that sexual side effects, in particular vaginal dryness, are very common on the aromatase inhibitors. There was not a great deal of this discussed at the meeting. Active research is going on to address this common and important side effect.
On December 19, 2007, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from San Antonio 2007. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. answered your questions and shared the newest research presented at this year's San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium.
The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.
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