Cancer Society heralds new breast cancer treatments
One new set of drugs, called aromatase inhibitors, are for use by post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer. Studies have shown these inhibitors are more effective than tamoxifen, the current gold standard treatment.
Targeted therapies which block proteins that make tumours grow quickly are also leading to better outcomes, according to the Cancer Society. Up to 2,000 new cases of breast cancer are diagnosed in Ireland every year and 670 women die from the illness. It is the biggest cancer killer of Irish women.
The aromatose inhibitors work by reducing the levels of oestrogen in the body, which is vital in the case of tumours which are sensitive to the hormone.
Armidex (anastrazole) and Femara (letrozole) are two aromatase inhibitors on the market which have recently shown encouraging results in helping more women remain free of breast cancer.
About 9,300 women from across the world, including 42 from Ireland, were involved in a five-year study which showed that treatment with Armidex reduces the risk of breast cancer reoccurring by up to 75% - which is 25% more than that offered by tamoxifen.
A second study on 8,000 post-menopausal women with early-stage breast cancer showed that Femara was 19% more successful than tamoxifen. It also reduced the risk of cancer returning to distant sites in the body by 27%.
Emphasising the importance of Pink Ribbon Day, the breast cancer research fundraising day taking place today, consultant medical oncologist at St James’ Hospital, Dr John Kennedy, said the fear of cancer returning terrifies many women.
“These positive clinical trial results show that we now have access to treatments that can produce a significant reduction in the risk of breast cancer recurrence, offering new hope for women diagnosed with this increasingly common disease ,” he said.
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