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Benefits of taking AIs more than five years?

Page last modified on: November 20, 2008
Question from Nance: Has there been any research on whether there will be benefits for taking aromatase inhibitors more than 5 years for early breast cancer, or by following an aromatase inhibitor with tamoxifen? Also, I have been taking Arimidex for 2 years, but I have heard that studies show Femara is more effective. Is this true? Should those of us on Arimidex ask to be switched?
Answers —Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.: You ask two very good questions. The first is still being answered in very large, well-designed clinical trials for which we do not yet have results. The aromatase inhibitor studies that we have so far had, if you've read the previous online chats, raised as many questions as they have answered. As far as the question about whether or not one of the aromatase inhibitors is better than another, we do not have any clear clinical studies that tell us which is the best or if there is a best. My guess is that they are all fairly equivalent. The one thing to keep in mind is if you have side effects with one drug, that switching to another drug may help you tolerate the medications better, but other studies have shown that many side effects just get better with time, even if you stay on the same medication.
Marisa Weiss, M.D., president and founder: Most of what we learn about the efficacy of each medication and how they might compare comes from clinical trials of large groups of women. But in any individual doctor's practice taking care of a particular patient who is special and unique, one medication may be more easily tolerated than another. This may involve a little bit of experimentation or trial and error. Each time you try a new medicine you have to give it a chance to work, approximately three months to see how the side effect profile affects you.

On Wednesday, December 20, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Updates from the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2006. Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. and moderator Marisa Weiss, M.D. answered your questions about the newest research on breast cancer treatment, side effects, risk of recurrence, and more.

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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Meet the Experts

Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H.Jennifer Griggs, M.D., M.P.H. is a medical oncologist specializing in the treatment of breast cancer, with a a special interest in cancer survivorship, patient-physician communication, and quality of care for women with breast cancer.

Marisa Weiss, M.D. is a radiation oncologist specializing in breast cancer and the founder, president, and guiding force behind Breastcancer.org.

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