Breast cancer drug boosts survival rates

A NEW drug has been shown to boost the survival rate of women who have been treated for breast cancer.

Researchers based at St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, who were part of an international study, discovered that an oestrogen suppresser acts as a second line of defence against a recurrence of the disease in post-menopausal women.

They found that women taking Femara, known generically as letrozole, after tamoxifen reduced the risk of the cancer recurring by 43%. And, in cases where the cancer had spread to the lymph nodes at diagnosis, the drug reduced the risk of death by 39%.

One-in-12 women are at risk of developing breast cancer, a statistic underlining the importance of early detection and drug treatments to extend survival.

Latest data available from the National Cancer Registry shows that there were 2,020 new cases of breast cancer and 671 deaths from breast cancer in Ireland in 2001. Femara manufacturer, Novartis, said the findings were important because in many cases where the cancer recurs it has spread beyond the breast.

While tamoxifen is beneficial for five years post-surgery, if used beyond that the risks associated with it outweigh the benefits.

Leading cancer specialist, Prof Michael Kerin said Femara was the first treatment that had been shown to offer women at higher risk of recurrence a further improvement in overall survival once they had completed the standard five-year course of tamoxifen.

Action Breast Cancer spokesperson, Naomi Fitzgibbon, welcomed the study’s findings that underlined the potential of Femara in guarding women against recurrences.

Meanwhile, make-up artist Annie Gribben yesterday launched a limited

edition Kiss lipstick, which will be available through Make Up For Ever in Dublin and Roches Stores, to help raise awareness of breast cancer. All profits from each lipstick will go to support the work of Action Breast Cancer.