HonCode

Go Back   HER2 Support Group Forums > her2group
Register Gallery FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-15-2013, 11:08 AM   #1
Soccermom
Senior Member
 
Soccermom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
Anyone on Evista?

Hi all ! My Gyn has suggested me taking Evista as I have moderate Osteopenia via dexa scan. There's been little change since 2010 and my GP thinks its overkill.. Reached out to my original Onc ( I haven't had one since 2010.. Fired that one and Onc who I respect dearly said, "only osteopenic, your GP is right ". Quandary is the reduced risk of cancer recurrence data looks enticing?
Your thoughts, please
Marcia
Soccermom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2013, 12:17 PM   #2
Shobha
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Bayarea,CA
Posts: 679
Re: Anyone on Evista?

I have been on Evista since the time I finished my treatment. I too have moderate Osteopenia.

I have not experienced any side effects. Evista (raloxifiene) is supposed to as good as Tamoxifen but without the side effects from what I understand.

Just remember to take your calcium supplements with Evista.

Cheers,
shobha
__________________
DX: 06-30-2007 - left breast -stage IIIB, Her2/Neu 3+++, ER weakly positive, PR-
Taxol+herceptin weekly for 3 months
FEC+herceptin every 3 weeks for 3 months
BRCA 1 and 2 - Negative
Jan 2008 - Bilateral mastectomy, prophylactic Rt. side.
Radiation for 5 weeks
Completed my yr of herceptin on 07-14-2008
Brain MRI - 3/2/09 Clean
Shobha is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-15-2013, 12:59 PM   #3
Gerri
Senior Member
 
Gerri's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Southern California
Posts: 900
Re: Anyone on Evista?

Hi Marcia,

I was on Femara from 2008 - 2012 and was planning on continuing indefinitely. I was also receiving Zometa infusions every 6 months. My osteopenia was not improving, so my onc switched me to Evista to build my bones. I also try to take Vitamin D and Calcium every day. Evista has been used to prevent bc in high risk post menopausal patients; I am hopeful that it is also providing some protection from recurrence. I am tolerating the drug quite well.

Best of luck!
__________________
Gerri
Dx: 11/23/05, Lumpectomy 12/12/05
Tumor 2.2 cm, Stage II, Grade 3, Sentinel Node biopsy negative
ER+ (30%) /PR+ (50%), HER2+++
AC X 4 dose dense, Taxol X 4 dose dense
Herceptin started with 2nd Taxol, given weekly until chemo done
then given every 3 weeks for one year ending on March 16, 2007
Radiation 30 treatments
Tamoxifen - 2 yrs (pre-menopausal)
May 2008 - Feb 2012 Femara
Aug 2008 - Feb 2012 Zometa every 6 months
March 2012 - Stop Femara, now Evista for bone strengthening
**********
Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look
back and realize they were the big things.
- Robert Brault
Gerri is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 08:11 PM   #4
Jackie07
Senior Member
 
Jackie07's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: "Love never fails."
Posts: 5,808
Re: Anyone on Evista?

Marcia,

Looks like your doctors may have based their opinions on these reports:

Ann Intern Med. 2013 Sep 24. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-159-10-201311190-00718. [Epub ahead of print]
Medications for Risk Reduction of Primary Breast Cancer in Women: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.
Moyer VA.
Abstract
DESCRIPTION:
Update of the 2002 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation on the use of medications for breast cancer risk reduction.
METHODS:
The USPSTF reviewed evidence on the effectiveness, adverse effects, and subgroup variations of medications to reduce the risk for breast cancer-specifically, the selective estrogen receptor modulators tamoxifen and raloxifene. The USPSTF also reviewed a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials to understand the relative benefits and harms of tamoxifen and raloxifene.
POPULATION:
This recommendation applies to asymptomatic women aged 35 years or older without a prior diagnosis of breast cancer, ductal carcinoma in situ, or lobular carcinoma in situ.
RECOMMENDATION:
The USPSTF recommends that clinicians engage in shared, informed decision making with women who are at increased risk for breast cancer about medications to reduce their risk. For women who are at increased risk for breast cancer and at low risk for adverse medication effects, clinicians should offer to prescribe risk-reducing medications, such as tamoxifen or raloxifene. (B recommendation)The USPSTF recommends against the routine use of medications, such as tamoxifen or raloxifene, for risk reduction of primary breast cancer in women who are not at increased risk for breast cancer. (D recommendation).

****************

Ann Intern Med. 2013 Apr 16;158(8):604-14. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-158-8-201304160-00005.
Use of medications to reduce risk for primary breast cancer: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.
Nelson HD, Smith ME, Griffin JC, Fu R.
Source
Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Mailcode BICC, 3181 Southwest Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239-3098, USA. nelsonh@ohsu.edu
Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Medications to reduce risk for primary breast cancer are recommended for women at increased risk; however, use is low.
PURPOSE:
To update evidence about the effectiveness and adverse effects of medications to reduce breast cancer risk, patient use of such medications, and methods for identifying women at increased risk for breast cancer.
DATA SOURCES:
MEDLINE and Cochrane databases (through 5 December 2012), Scopus, Web of Science, clinical trial registries, and reference lists.
STUDY SELECTION:
English-language randomized trials of medication effectiveness and adverse effects, observational studies of adverse effects and patient use, and diagnostic accuracy studies of risk assessment.
DATA EXTRACTION:
Investigators independently extracted data on participants, study design, analysis, follow-up, and results, and a second investigator confirmed key data. Investigators independently dual-rated study quality and applicability using established criteria.
DATA SYNTHESIS:
Seven good- and fair-quality trials indicated that tamoxifen and raloxifene reduced incidence of invasive breast cancer by 7 to 9 cases in 1000 women over 5 years compared with placebo. New results from STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) showed that tamoxifen reduced breast cancer incidence more than raloxifene by 5 cases in 1000 women. Neither reduced breast cancer-specific or all-cause mortality rates. Both reduced the incidence of fractures, but tamoxifen increased the incidence of thromboembolic events more than raloxifene by 4 cases in 1000 women. Tamoxifen increased the incidence of endometrial cancer and cataracts compared with placebo and raloxifene. Trials provided limited and heterogeneous data on medication adherence and persistence. Many women do not take tamoxifen because of associated harms. Thirteen risk-stratification models were modest predictors of breast cancer.
LIMITATION:
Data on mortality and adherence measures and for women who are nonwhite, are premenopausal, or have comorbid conditions were lacking.
CONCLUSION:
Medications reduced the incidence of invasive breast cancer and fractures and increased the incidence of thromboembolic events. Tamoxifen was more effective than raloxifene but also increased the incidence of endometrial cancer and cataracts. Use is limited by adverse effects and inaccurate methods to identify candidates.
PRIMARY FUNDING SOURCE:
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
__________________
Jackie07
http://www.kevinmd.com/blog/2011/06/doctors-letter-patient-newly-diagnosed-cancer.html
http://www.asco.org/ASCOv2/MultiMedi...=114&trackID=2

NICU 4.4 LB
Erythema Nodosum 85
Life-long Central Neurocytoma 4x5x6.5 cm 23 hrs 62090 semi-coma 10 d PT OT ST 30 d
3 Infertility tmts 99 > 3 u. fibroids > Pills
CN 3 GKRS 52301
IDC 1.2 cm Her2 +++ ER 5% R. Lmptmy SLNB+1 71703 6 FEC 33 R Tamoxifen
Recc IIB 2.5 cm Bi-L Mast 61407 2/9 nds PET
6 TCH Cellulitis - Lymphedema - compression sleeve & glove
H w x 4 MUGA 51 D, J 49 M
Diastasis recti
Tamoxifen B. scan
Irrtbl bowel 1'09
Colonoscopy 313
BRCA1 V1247I
hptc hemangioma
Vertigo
GI - > yogurt
hysterectomy/oophorectomy 011410
Exemestane 25 mg tab 102912 ~ 101016 stopped due to r. hip/l.thigh pain after long walk
DEXA 1/13
1-2016 lesions in liver largest 9mm & 1.3 cm onco. says not cancer.
3-11 Appendectomy - visually O.K., a lot of puss. Final path result - not cancer.
Start Vitamin D3 and Calcium supplement (600mg x2)
10-10 Stopped Exemestane due to r. hip/l.thigh pain OKed by Onco 11-08-2016
7-23-2018 9 mm groundglass nodule within the right lower lobe with indolent behavior. Due to possible adenocarcinoma, Recommend annual surveilence.
7-10-2019 CT to check lung nodule.
1-10-2020 8mm stable nodule on R Lung, two 6mm new ones on L Lung, a possible lymph node involvement in inter fissule.
"I WANT TO BE AN OUTRAGEOUS OLD WOMAN WHO NEVER GETS CALLED AN OLD LADY. I WANT TO GET SHARP EDGED & EARTH COLORED, TILL I FADE AWAY FROM PURE JOY." Irene from Tampa

Advocacy is a passion .. not a pastime - Joe

Last edited by Jackie07; 11-17-2013 at 08:17 PM..
Jackie07 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-17-2013, 09:14 PM   #5
Soccermom
Senior Member
 
Soccermom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Bradenton,FL
Posts: 977
Re: Anyone on Evista?

Shobha, Gerri and Jackie,
Thank you so much for your feedback!
My thoughts are that the risk of blood clots overrides my fear of osteoporosis. I think I'll take a pass for the time being.

Thank you again,
Marcia
Soccermom is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:11 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright HER2 Support Group 2007 - 2021
free webpage hit counter