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Real members of MyBCTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Does anyone know how likely the recurrence of breast cancer is if you take Letrozole and if you don’t take it?

A MyBCTeam Member asked a question 💭
July 28
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A MyBCTeam Member

The recurrence rate varies from person to person, and from cancer to cancer if you get cancer more than once. There are multiple variables that determine your risk. You need to ask your oncologist this question. Your risk of the cancer coming back is higher if you don't take the AI, but only your oncologist can give you your recurrence and survival odds and let you know how much higher the risk is if you don't take the AI.

For me the first time I had breast cancer it was non aggressive stage 1A and had very low odds of recurrence and I didn'ttakr an AI or Tamoxifen. The second time I got breast cancer, which was a totally new kind of cancer than the first one, it was very aggressive and stage 3C. My 5 year recurrence odds are 50% if I don't take an AI and CDK inhibitor and are 30% if I do take the drugs so I am taking the drugs to make my recurrence and survival odds better. I need to be on an AI for the rest of my life and a CDK inhibitor for 3 years.

July 28
MyBCTeam

Great question — and an important one. Letrozole is a hormonal therapy (an aromatase inhibitor) that works by reducing estrogen levels in the body, which helps keep hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) breast cancer from coming back.

Here's what's generally known about recurrence risk:

- Without hormonal therapy like Show Full Answer

Great question — and an important one. Letrozole is a hormonal therapy (an aromatase inhibitor) that works by reducing estrogen levels in the body, which helps keep hormone receptor-positive (HR-positive) breast cancer from coming back.

Here's what's generally known about recurrence risk:

- Without hormonal therapy like letrozole, about 1 in 6 people with HR-positive breast cancer that spread to lymph nodes saw their cancer return within five years
- Hormonal therapies can reduce the risk of recurrence by up to 50 percent
- At least half of all breast cancer recurrences happen within five years of the original diagnosis
- People with ER-positive breast cancer can face a higher risk of late recurrence — even 10 or more years after finishing treatment It's worth noting that recurrence risk is very personal. Factors like tumor size, lymph node involvement, cancer subtype, and age all play a role. Genomic testing can also help give a clearer picture of individual risk.

Beyond taking letrozole, there are lifestyle steps that may help lower recurrence risk:

- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Exercising regularly
- Not smoking
- Reducing alcohol consumption

Talking with an oncologist is the best way to understand what the numbers mean for a specific situation. They can tailor the conversation to personal history and treatment details.

July 28

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