Topics:
Introduction:
In an effort to reduce the risk of breast cancer, the UK is expanding the use of medication to provide a preventive solution for post-menopausal women.
Anastrozole – A New Preventive Medication:
Recently approved in the UK, anastrozole, a medication originally developed to treat breast cancer, has been found to reduce the risk of developing the condition by up to 50% when taken over a five-year period.
- Benefits: The approval of anastrozole for preventive use is projected to prompt more family doctors to prescribe it, making women more aware of its benefits in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
- Challenges: However, anastrozole’s side effects, which include severe menopausal symptoms, may discourage some individuals from taking it.
- Eligibility: Post-menopausal women at moderate or high risk of breast cancer are eligible to take anastrozole, as determined by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
- Alternatives: Anastrozole is not the only preventive medication, with tamoxifen being another option. Both drugs work by blocking the female sex hormone estrogen, which promotes the growth of breast cancer cells.
Other Preventive Measures:
Aside from medication, women can also reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer by undergoing more frequent mammogram screenings and considering preventive surgeries, especially if they have a high risk due to gene mutations.
Expert Opinion:
Dana Gheorghe at Citeline, a global pharmaceutical intelligence firm, believes that providing another preventive option, such as anastrozole, is beneficial as long as individuals are willing to accept the associated side effects.
