A pill that could prevent breast cancer will be offered to almost 300,000 women
Almost 300,000 women in England could benefit from a "repurposed" drug that helps to prevent breast cancer. The pill, anastrozole, has already been used for years to treat hormone-sensitive breast cancer, but recent trials have proved its benefits elsewhere. Specifically that it can reduce the occurrence of breast cancer in post-menopausal women who are at moderate to high risk by almost 50%, over the next 11 years.
The drug was formerly recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence as a preventative measure back in 2017. However, due to it not being licensed for said use, anastrozole remained mostly as a treatment.
Fast forward six years, and scientists have also found that the preventative effect will last for years after a woman has stopped taking the pill. Which has led to it being licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. Plus, the NHS has revealed that if one in four women comes forward to take the drug, 2,000 cases of breast cancer in the UK could be prevented. Such a breakthrough could simultaneously save the NHS £15 million in treatment.
As per the NHS' explanation of the drug, "Anastrozole is an aromatase inhibitor. This works by cutting down the amount of the hormone oestrogen that a patient's body makes by blocking an enzyme called 'aromatase'." It adds that side effects include: hot flushes, feeling weak, pain/stiffness in the joints, arthritis, skin rash, nausea, headache, osteoporosis, and depression.
NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard shared that it's the "first drug to be repurposed through a world-leading new programme." She said this will help scientists and researchers learn the "full potential of existing medicines in new uses to save and improve more lives."
Meanwhile, NHS England's national clinical director for cancer, Professor Peter Johnson recently appeared on BBC Radio 4's Today programme to explain the advancement. He said that anastrozole is a "very attractive" option for women with a higher risk of the disease.
Professor Johnson also added that the drug is more effective at preventing the disease - with fewer side effects - than tamoxifen, which has already been rolled out for the same use. However, the drug comes with patient worries, including people being "particularly concerned about blood clots and also in some cases the development of endometrial cancer."
In contrast, Professor Johnson said that "anastrozole doesn't seem to do that."
And as for Baroness Delyth Morgan, the chief executive at Breast Cancer Now? Well, she's labelled anastrozole as a "major step forward" in "risk-reducing treatment."
It will "enable more eligible women with a significant family history of breast cancer, to reduce their chance of developing the disease," she concluded.
This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or diagnosis. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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