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Femara after tamoxifen to prevent recurrence?

Page last modified on: October 7, 2008
Question from Joan: Is Femara after tamoxifen really the new miracle to help prevent the cancer from coming back after five years of tamoxifen?
Answer —Lynn Hartmann, M.D.: Femara does help to further reduce the risk of recurrence of breast cancer after tamoxifen. For every woman's situation, we must determine how great her risk of recurrence is after tamoxifen and whether or not there is significant justification for the Femara. In one example, if a woman had only a 10% risk of recurrence after tamoxifen, the Femara might provide only two or three percentage points lower risk, in which case the side effects she experienced could outweigh the benefit. So it is judged on a case-by-case basis, and it depends on the women's risk of recurrence whether we recommend Femara after five years of tamoxifen.

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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