We should stop breast cancer before it starts

Women at high risk of developing the disease the family has been given the vaccine, with very promising results.Cancer. We cut out, we broke out with radiation and drugs. But it prevents us from developing in the first place? When millions of people who use statins to prevent heart attacks and strokes, we can not have the same approach with the second biggest killer in England?This question oncologists are beginning to ask. "Heart has found long ago that prevention is better than cure," said Professor Jack Cuzick, a world leader in the emerging field of chemoprevention (drugs used to prevent cancer) and professor of epidemiology at the Wolfson Institute Center for the Prevention of cancer in London."We oncologists are 20 or 30 years."However, the game of catch-up began in earnest - for the leader of the research on breast cancer. In Great Britain, professors and other experts are investigating a drug called anastrozole Both Cuzick, originally designed to treat breast cancer, can actually prevent, in an experiment on 6,000 women a high risk of disease. In the U.S., meanwhile, a study of 4,500 women found that another drug, exemestane, reduce the risk of developing breast cancer of 2 / 3."We have a great new tool, an instrument stand, Utara offers risk 65 percent lower than in postmenopausal women with breast cancer," said Paul Goss, of Harvard Medical School, who presented the results of the recent Conference of States exemestane United.The first study to identify potential drugs to prevent breast cancer in 1990, when Sonny has found that women who have a cure for breast cancer less likely to develop tumors in the other. The drug is tamoxifen, Utara has been used to shrink tumors and treatment of breast cancer for over 30 years. At least 40% of breast cancers are estrogen receptor positive (ER +) stimulating Utara half to develop prototypes. Tamoxifen works by blocking the absorption of estrogen by the tumor cells.Related ArticlesDoctors Diary: Why women can still enjoy the 'op' October 3, 2011Water pollution in the city increases the risk of preterm delivery 30% October 7, 2011Kylie Minogue HONORARY DEGREE IN October 6, 2011For people faced with a small lift THEM? 5 OTT 2011"There are worse things than adultery '04 October 2011In the United States, has approved tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer in women who have never limited to reduce disease in 1998 after a study published this year showed that in women with a family history of breast cancer tumor , the drug reduced the risk of disease by almost half. A drug called raloxifene, which is designed to protect bone density after menopause, it is also approved for the prevention and detection of breast cancer associated with 19.000 postmenopausal women after finding that halved the incidence of breast cancer.But despite the promise shown by these drugs are not widely used to prevent breast cancer. This is MSI Because both carry a small risk of blood clots threat (even if the risk is smaller with raloxifene compared with tamoxifen) and other serious side effects. Tamoxifen can cause endometrial cancer (lining of the uterus) in rare cases.The good news anastrozole and exemestane, drug tested, most recently as Sonny seems that there is little serious risk. However, these powerful drugs can have side effects, discomfort, such as hot flashes are worse. Professor Goss, director of cancer research at Massachusetts General Hospital, admitted that it is "theoretically possible" Sonny can weaken the bones of women, if done in a long time. Both drugs belong to a class of drugs that inhibit aromatase Utara Called to stop the production of estrogen, rather than prevent its uptake by tumor cells, like Sonny is only suitable for use in women after menopause.Experts recognize that while the new drug is promising, no drug is without risk. The entire field of chemoprevention is the dilemma: how do you balance the risk of side effects in healthy women against the potential benefits of the drug?"If [exemestane] had no side effects, you would put it in water [level]," says Goss. As it stands, the prevention of breast cancer drugs are Kantor benefits for people who can overcome the potential damage - women who are at high risk of infection. "High risk" is usually defined as mothers or sisters who have cancer confined to the breast (or ovarian cancer) at age 50.Another challenge for the proponents of chemoprevention is like being accepted by patients and doctors - a difficult task when there are tangible benefits immediately, only to reduce risk. "And 'can sold the concept of cardiovascular prevention patients, pointing to something that works, as" your cholesterol goes down, "explained Professor Goss." We probably would not do that with breast cancer. "Moreover, in England, one of the main problems is the absence of any prescribed medication approved for the prevention of breast cancer. The reason is down to money, said Professor Cuzick. With the patent for tamoxifen and raloxifene-making have now lapsed, generic version of these drugs can be done very cheaply. Since this effectively reduces the profit potential, there is little incentive for pharmaceutical companies to go through the costly process of applying for a new permit from the EU or marketing management agency England."It 'a real Catch-22", Professor Cuzick. "What is Sensible that if the learning organization, such as Cancer Research UK and Medical Research Council, came together to present the research data and have been authorized generic drugs as chemopreventive drugs," he added. "So far there is no progress on this proposal - but it would be a good solution.""I went to the test, because I saw that cancer has devastated like my mother"Sue Holloway, who lost her mother to breast cancer, while Pauline Teenager, be convinced of the potential benefits of taking medication to prevent this devastating disease.''In 15 years, my mother had fought hard against breast cancer, "said Sue, a pharmacy assistant Langthorpe in Yorkshire." During my childhood, I remember her being sick. I am 17 years old and she was 44 when she died.''I became a mother at age 28, when it adopted Joanna. The last thing he wants is for history to repeat itself. So it came when the opportunities are part of a process to look anastrozole efficacy in the prevention of breast cancer among healthy women, she jumped at it. ''I went to the test because I see breast cancer as devastating for my mother,''said Sue.It was anastrozole for five years, from 2003 to 2008, is one of the first recruits for the Cancer Research UK funded IBIS-II trial, anastrozole was compared against a placebo in women Utara postmenopausal women with a family history of breast cancer. I will never know if you are taking an active role or false (as most of the test, one of which is "blind" for both patients and researchers to avoid distortions in climbing).''But I doubt it because I anastrozole side effects, "he said." My Hot flashes worse, I had a stiff joints and my skin is very dry.''Sue and her cousin also had breast cancer. Sue did not develop the disease, even if the drug reduces the risk of her, no one will ever know. However, as the result of more than 6,000 women dripping, scientists hope will tell how anastrozole in 2013 to be effective in preventing breast cancer in women at high risk. If the positive results of CIH, Sue wanted to license it as soon as possible. ''Women have to Realize the risks and side effects of drugs, but for me if the risk of breast cancer is very high, it's worth it.''