Extra Dosage Of Hormonal Drugs Can Prevent Breast Cancer Recurrence

A new breakthrough study revealed that breast cancer risk can be reduced by significantly by taking hormonal drugs up to 15 years. The findings are phenomenal, experts said. 

The findings cannot come at a better time. Around the world, 1.7 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer yearly. The findings, can change treatment for millions of women, especially those inherently at-risk.

The landmark study, involved a trial on 1918 patients. Results showed that their risk of breast cancer was reduced by a third, BBC news reported.

Researchers behind the study however, claimed that there may be a steep price to pay for consuming hormonal drugs for so long. The risks included osteoporosis.

According to the study, the findings are specifically applicable to those already have had the breast cancer. The study around 80% of the breast cancer rumors are fueled by the female sex hormone, estrogen, which make it highly persistent. The risk of breast cancer returning is always high, but with this new finding, the risk can be lowered. 

Usually, breast cancer patients whose lump has been removed are prescribed with drugs such as tamoxifen. This drug ensures that estrogen will not get into breast cells again. Sometimes, aromatase inhibitors are also given, which prevent the body from making estrogen.

The trial, which was carried out on post-menopausal women, included the doubling of aromatase inhibitor dosage from five to ten years. Results presented to the American Society of Clinical Oncology revealed that cancer recurrence can be lessened by 34%, as reported by the Washington Post. 

One of the lead researchers from the Massachusetts Genera Hospital, Prof Paul Goss, claimed that the finding is very important. "Aromatase inhibitors are now readily available around the world and therefore our results will further improve the outcome of women with breast cancer globally," he said. 

They also found that 95% of the women who took the extra dosage remained cancer free at the end of study, compared to only 91% of those who did not. The study is now published in the New England Journal of Medicine. 
Those who read the research also emphasized the findings' importance and benefits. A breast cancer specialist, Dr. Nick Turner told BBC that a lot of treatment plans for women will change after this discovery of aromatase inhibitors' capability. 

"It is a big deal, it's going to be a change of treatment for a lot women," the doctor said. "Extended letrozole [an aromatase inhibitor] in years 10-15 has benefit in preventing a new breast cancer diagnosis. He however, claimed that there will be risks and that the treatment is not cut out for everyone.