letrazole

Hi Kath1995

Welcome to the Online Community here at Macmillan. I hope you find it a helpful place to access support and ask questions. My name is Vanessa, and I am one of the cancer information nurses here at the Macmillan Cancer Support Line.

I’m pleased you have felt able to contact us. Stopping treatment, especially without the opportunity to discuss this with your team, I’m sure is very concerning.

As you know Letrozole is used to treat oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Oestrogen positive breast cancer can use oestrogen to help it grow. Letrozole works by reducing the amount of oestrogen in the body.

When giving preventative medication the teams look at potential benefits and balance this against potential risks. Long term use of letrozole can weaken bones it can also increase the amount of cholesterol and fat in the blood. Currently, therefore letrozole is recommended is normally given for 5 – 10 years. It is important to remember that the benefits of letrozole continue for many years after you stop taking it.

Unless advised otherwise by your clinical team, your does of letrozole does not need to be gradually reduced and you can just stop taking the medication.

As always it is important that you remain breast aware and report any changes in your breast to your GP.

If you feel you would like further reassurance about stopping your letrozole you could contact your breast care nursing team. They will be able to discuss this in more detail with you.

I hope you find this information helpful. You can also always call one of our nurses directly if you want to talk over your concerns or require any further support.

Take care

Vanessa G, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist 

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email. 

Ref  VG/KM