Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
arimidex
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-JS, Sep 10, 2002 12:00AM
Dear tibs1, The Arimidex does not directly cause increasing facial hair. The fluctuations in hormones are a more likely cause. Androgens are hormones such as testosterone and androsterone that produce or stimulate the development of male characteristics (such as increased facial hair). In women, these hormones can be converted into estrogen. As a treatment in breast cancer Arimidex works by interfering with the conversion of androgens to estrogen. So in estrogen-receptor positive tumors the estrogen is not available to possibly stimulate breast cancer growth.
I had breast cancer in l995 and had chemo lost my hair but it did return. In May I was treated for liver cancer and lost my hair and it has not returned, I am taking arimidex. I have been told by my oncology doctor that I am his only patient that this has happened to. I have also seen a dermatologist and she doesn't have an answer for me either. I am very depressed over the hair lost I am 49 years old.