Are there any symptoms to look out for? What are they doing about it? What it letrazole does every breast cancer patient have this drug? 

Hi Mrs Mac,

You raise an interesting question. I hadn't realised that as many as  63% of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have this. My mum had breast cancer as have I. She also had cirrhosis and I have too (neither of us were drinkers). She had radiotherapy and Tamoxifen, but I didn't. I had Tamoxifen for 1 year, then changed to Letrozole for 6½ years.

I shall have a look into this. There must surely be some research when the incidence is so high?

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hi Jolamine 

Lovely to hear from you again.....

As I frequently say treatment and research would be better financed if men predominantly had breast cancer instead of just a few!Most of the research I could find was Malaysian or Japanese although some of research looked and compared women from Sweden . This was so bad for me as my wee auntie..through marriage had NAFLD diagnosed only 2 years ago despite being unwell for ages and has just had end stage liver cancer diagnosed...

 Basically GPs are poorly  informed but surely all breast cancer cases should be screened to pick this up as it has been recognised for quite some time. I’ve been told to have another blood test in a month but no real advice . GP didn’t even speak to me. I only got 2nd set of results today by phoning...so I’ll be on case tomorrow . You take care

Jes

Hi Lizzy79

i wasn’t aware of any symptoms but I had test ages ago which put me in the prediabetic range despite following 5/2 diet, being only 8& a half stone and eating mostly healthy.. Nurses advice was to switch to diabetic marmalade....Honestly!,,,Because I had this hanging over me I tried with advantage of losing weight with surgery to keep going so now 8st but I’d lost my appetite thought stomach had shrunk when in actual fact losing weight quickly and losing appetite are some of 1st symptoms.    As I say pure fluke this was picked up . But SHOULD be a routine scan...The Letrozole is prescribed to women with oestrogen positive cancer to prevent a recurrence if past menopause.

Hope that helps. Think I may start a petition

Jess 

Hi Jess,

I agree. We women always seem to come last in line. I have type 2 Diabetes now too I am so sorry to hear about your wee auntie. My mum eventually had secondaries in her liver, lungs, brain and bone - not a pleasant way to go! My liver problems were also discovered by accident, but nobody ever attributed them to Letrozole. 

I hope that your GP can tell you more about this tie in when you speak to him/her. Please let us know what they have to say.

Kind regards,

Jolamine xx

Hello everyone

The moderators asked if one of the nurses might be able to help out with some useful information relating to this discussion.  Firstly I want to say that being over weight, which might include having a fatty liver is a known risk for developing post menopausal breast cancer.  However after diagnosis, radiotherapy to the breast would not cause a fatty liver, and although letrozole can sometimes cause weight gain it has been shown through many years of research to significantly reduce the chances of breast cancer recurring after initial treatment, along with a range of other hormonal drugs.  Also most women following breast cancer treatment will have blood test from time to time which will check for liver function and would identify if problem were developing in the liver.

Its good to see the debate that is going on here and the information above is just intended to help out with a bit of information not to stifle your discussion.  If any of you have any questions please do get in touch with the nurses directly on 0808 800 4040   

All the best

Martin 

Hi Martin thank you for your concern and input . My GP is calling tonight to discuss...

i just think it has been very cavalier to send me time and time again for blood tests without any explanation and get told by an administrator that I have high GGTscore . I don’t fit the normal category for these symptoms so gather I have inherited some really bad genes but that makes me even more desperate to have answers as advice is always lose weight. If I lost any more I’d disappear 

thaks 

Jess

Hi

I had breast cancer 4 years ago and had a mastectomy and take Tamoxifen.  I was recently having some stomach problems and was sent for a CT scan.  I've been told that this is showing a recurrence of my breast cancer and some lesions on my liver, could these be caused by a fatty liver?  I'm seeing my Consultant on Monday so hope he can give me some answers. 

Thanks

Alison

Hi Ali46 

So sorry to hear about your results. I’m no expert as only learning about this now . Still waiting to hear from my Doc . I just feel that even with a slight chance....all breast cancer patients should be screened to identify those who may be at risk. I tend to look up everything but I have 2 friends who’ve had breast cancer....long before me and neither of them want to know anything except what they have been told whereas I’m a rebel and want to question EVERYTHING. GOOD LUCK on a Monday . I’m sure everyone here will be thinking about you and sending positive vibes 

take care 

Jess

Thank you for your reply. I think I would rather know than at least you know what look for. I'll let you know how I get on after my appointment

Alison