Anastrozole: Thousands To Be Offered Drug To Prevent Breast Cancer In England

[appalachiablue]

- BBC News, Nov. 7, 2023.

Tens of thousands of women in England could benefit from a drug that helps prevent breast cancer. Anastrozole, used for many years to treat the disease, has now been licensed as a preventative option.

Recent trials show the drug can reduce the incidence of breast cancer by almost 50% in post-menopausal women at moderate or high risk of the disease. Charities said it was "a major step forward" for women with a significant family history of the cancer.

An estimated 289,000 women could be eligible for the drug. And if one in four of these come forward, it could help prevent 2,000 cases of breast cancer in England, NHS England says, which could save the health service £15m in treatment costs.

Any woman worried about having a higher than normal risk of breast cancer can contact their GP, who can refer them to a specialist for a full risk assessment taking into account family history...

https://www.bbc.com/news/health-67337081

[cate94]

1. I've taken this drug

The side effects were horrible. My joints hurt so much I could barely walk or stand without help.

[appalachiablue]

3. Dreadful, tx for sharing. Was that common, did the Drs say?

[cate94]

5. Not unusual

My oncologist said to stop taking it. It isn’t worth it for me. I’ve got a new med, but I’m afraid to take it. I will eventually…

[hauckeye]

4. I also took anastrozole for a while

After my second bout of breast cancer. It did cause joint pains , although not as bad as you had. I switched to exemestane and have had no adverse effects.

[Iwasthere]

2. Untrue

It is not as hereditary as most think. It's environment, lifestyle and food. It's not rocket science. STAY AWAY FROM HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP. Refine sugar, It's in everything these days. A serious killer. [link:https://www.breastcancer.org/facts-statistics/myths-vs-facts|

[appalachiablue]

6. I've never seen so much breast, colon and other

cancer in younger people w/o any family history in the last 20 years. I know 4 women in this category who had BC under age 60.

I also know of women dx with autoimmune disorders like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis in their 20s and 40s with no family connection. And several young people in their 20s who came down with colitis, Crohn's Disease and IBS.

The more I read it seems that pervasive environmental toxins that have grown in the last few decades must play a role - additives in processed food, toxic chemicals in water systems, fertilizers, pfas and plastics in particular.

Thanks for the article which I'll check out.