Is it tge same for Anastrozole or Exemestane
July 5
Does stopping hormone therapy like tamoxifen increase the risk of breast cancer coming back?
The short answer is yes — stopping tamoxifen early or not taking it as prescribed does raise the risk of recurrence. Research shows that completing the full course can reduce recurrence risk by up to 50% and lower the risk of dying Show Full Answer
Does stopping hormone therapy like tamoxifen increase the risk of breast cancer coming back?
The short answer is yes — stopping tamoxifen early or not taking it as prescribed does raise the risk of recurrence. Research shows that completing the full course can reduce recurrence risk by up to 50% and lower the risk of dying from breast cancer by 30%. Here's what the research tells us about stopping early:
- Postmenopausal women who stopped hormonal treatment early had a 35%–56% higher risk of recurrence
- In premenopausal women, recurrence occurred in 20% of those who quit early, compared to just 11% of those who completed treatment — nearly doubling the risk
- A large study found breast cancer can recur up to 32 years after the original diagnosis, making long-term treatment important
A MyBCTeam member shared: *"I am currently on a one-month break and feeling much better! The weight gain was too overwhelming for me. I felt miserable all the time."* — which is completely understandable, as side effects are one of the main reasons people stop. If side effects are making it hard to continue, please don't stop on your own. Talk to your cancer care team first — they may suggest:
- Adjusting your tamoxifen dose
- Switching to a different hormonal therapy like an aromatase inhibitor
- Complementary approaches like acupuncture, yoga, or talk therapy to manage side effects
There are options, and it's worth exploring them together with your care team before making any changes.
July 5
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