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Taking Arimidex past 5-year mark?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008
Question from Amma: Does anyone have any input on taking Arimidex longer than the five-year mark? I took tamoxifen for two years and Arimidex for three, and my doctor says continuing might be beneficial.
Answer —Lynn Hartmann, M.D.: That's a good question, and we're looking for answers to that with ongoing clinical trials. The clinical trial that looked at Femara (chemical name: letrozole), an aromatase inhibitor similar to Arimidex (chemical name: anastrozole) or Aromasin (chemical name: exemestane), examined five years of Femara after five years of tamoxifen. Now it is looking at five additional years of Femara (a total of 10 years) compared to placebo. Your question is a good one, but I don't know a specific answer at this time. And most physicians are stopping after two to three years of tamoxifen plus two to three years of an aromatase inhibitor.

On Wednesday, February 15, 2006, our Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Risk Reduction. Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D. and moderator Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. answered your questions about a variety of topics such as screening with mammograms, MRIs, and ultrasounds; breast biopsies; lifestyle changes that make a difference; and making hard decisions about prophylactic surgeries.

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

Lynn C. Hartmann, M.D.Lynn Hartmann, M.D. is a professor of oncology at the Mayo Clinic and associate director for education of the Mayo Clinic Cancer Center.

Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S.Beth Baughman DuPree, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a general surgeon. Her clinical practice is located at Holy Redeemer Hospital and St. Mary Medical Center.

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