Anastrozole, a drug that has been used for years in the treatment of breast cancer, was approved in the United Kingdom as a preventive option for thousands of women at moderate or high risk of developing this disease.
According to BBC, the decision was supported by the Regulatory Agency for Medicines and Health Products in the country. Several charities working with patients affected by cancer have praised this move, calling it a significant step towards curing the disease.
In recent clinical trials, anastrozole has been shown to reduce the incidence of breast cancer by almost 50% in postmenopausal women with a significant family history of the disease.
According to estimates by the UK’s National Health Service, around 289,000 women could be candidates for the treatment in the country. If 25% of them take it, about 2,000 cases of breast cancer could be prevented, which would save the British health system about 15 million pounds (approximately 18 million dollars).
How does anastrozole work?
It is a type of hormone therapy that reduces estrogen levels in the body by blocking the enzyme called aromatase, which is essential in the production of estrogen.
Anastrozole is not patented, so several companies can produce and distribute it quite cheaply, about 5 cents per patient per day. Treatment consists of taking one 1 milligram tablet per day for five years.
Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in England and affects more than 47,000 people annually, especially women over 50 years of age. Research suggests that women with mutations in the BRCA genes, known as tumor suppressors, have a higher risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer at younger ages.
Side effects
Although anastrozole may have some side effects similar to menopause symptoms, such as hot flashes, headache, joint problems, arthritis, nausea, and depression, it is considered a more attractive option compared to other available treatments.
Academic Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said anastrozole is an attractive option for those at high risk of developing breast cancer as it has been shown to be more effective and have fewer side effects than Tamoxifen, which is a current preventive treatment.
Even so, British authorities say that protection against the disease lasts for years after stopping treatment with anastrozole. According to the Minister of Health, Will Quince, this approval is an important advance in the prevention of this disease.