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12-13-2005, 03:49 PM

I must stress I have no specialist expertise. You are asking fundamental questions and your decision choices could have significantly different outcomes. It can do no harm to be informed which is difficult in a fast changing world, where opions sometimes differ, and knowledge spreads at different rates. A basic knowledge may also help you understand the treatment decisons that are being made for you, and give you the ability to ask questions if you feel so inclined.

I attach some links starting with the more general and ending with the more specific that may be of interest. (below) I suggest you ask for the outcome statistics for the two products, or seach using google and on the NCBI site using the search engine. You might want to ask your onc and look for information about the chances of secondary cancers, bone loss and joint pain which are areas amongst many where tamoxifen and arimdex are reported to differ.

Different treatment regimes and mixes self evidently have their own complexities.

Hopefully the attached links will start you in your search and help you understand some of the considerations, and so ease your mind whatever decision you come to with your advisor.

RB

http://www.breastcancer.org/search/?...l&sp-q=arimdex

http://www.breastcancer.org/tre_sys_tamox_sideEff.html

http://www.freep.com/news/health/newx9e_20050809.htm

(This link no longer works but I had saved an abstract)

ABSTRACT

WHAT'S NEW: Breast cancer study adds to case against tamoxifen
August 9, 2005
An Austrian study offers more evidence for a move away from tamoxifen as the standard drug for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer whose tumor is fueled by estrogen.
Data from two trials that included more than 3,000 women found a 40% reduction in so-called events -- such as a new breast cancer or a spread of the tumor -- for those who switched to a drug called an aromatase inhibitor after two years of tamoxifen therapy compared with women who continued taking tamoxifen.
The study was reported in the Aug. 6 issue of the Lancet. Study author Dr. Raimund Jakesz, a professor of surgery at Vienna Medical University, says a number of factors must be considered before prescribing an aromatase inhibitor. One is cost. "An aromatase inhibitor is expensive -- $250 a month versus $70-$80 for tamoxifen."

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx2387239.html

AFX News Limited
Novartis presents new data on breast cancer drug Femara
12.13.2005, 02:38 AM

I would also suggest you check out and compare the side effects

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202545.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a696018.html

12-13-2005, 03:49 PM	#3
Unregistered Guest Posts: n/a	I must stress I have no specialist expertise. You are asking fundamental questions and your decision choices could have significantly different outcomes. It can do no harm to be informed which is difficult in a fast changing world, where opions sometimes differ, and knowledge spreads at different rates. A basic knowledge may also help you understand the treatment decisons that are being made for you, and give you the ability to ask questions if you feel so inclined. I attach some links starting with the more general and ending with the more specific that may be of interest. (below) I suggest you ask for the outcome statistics for the two products, or seach using google and on the NCBI site using the search engine. You might want to ask your onc and look for information about the chances of secondary cancers, bone loss and joint pain which are areas amongst many where tamoxifen and arimdex are reported to differ. Different treatment regimes and mixes self evidently have their own complexities. Hopefully the attached links will start you in your search and help you understand some of the considerations, and so ease your mind whatever decision you come to with your advisor. RB http://www.breastcancer.org/search/?...l&sp-q=arimdex http://www.breastcancer.org/tre_sys_tamox_sideEff.html http://www.freep.com/news/health/newx9e_20050809.htm (This link no longer works but I had saved an abstract) ABSTRACT WHAT'S NEW: Breast cancer study adds to case against tamoxifen August 9, 2005 An Austrian study offers more evidence for a move away from tamoxifen as the standard drug for postmenopausal women with early breast cancer whose tumor is fueled by estrogen. Data from two trials that included more than 3,000 women found a 40% reduction in so-called events -- such as a new breast cancer or a spread of the tumor -- for those who switched to a drug called an aromatase inhibitor after two years of tamoxifen therapy compared with women who continued taking tamoxifen. The study was reported in the Aug. 6 issue of the Lancet. Study author Dr. Raimund Jakesz, a professor of surgery at Vienna Medical University, says a number of factors must be considered before prescribing an aromatase inhibitor. One is cost. "An aromatase inhibitor is expensive -- $250 a month versus $70-$80 for tamoxifen." http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/...fx2387239.html AFX News Limited Novartis presents new data on breast cancer drug Femara 12.13.2005, 02:38 AM I would also suggest you check out and compare the side effects http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...di/202545.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/d...r/a696018.html