breast cancer mortality

 Estrogen-blocking medications lower breast cancer mortality rates in high-risk women

• In a recent study, scientists used a computer model to reevaluate the long-term advantages and potential risks of estrogen-blocking medications for the prevention of breast cancer in women at high risk.
• Annual screening and estrogen-blocking drugs reduce the incidence of invasive breast cancer and breast cancer-related death by 40% and 57%, respectively, but they can potentially have a variety of mild to major adverse effects.
• Depending on risk variables such age, previous biopsy, and family history of breast cancer, the advantages and disadvantages of estrogen-blocking therapy differ from person to person.
• The study's findings, according to the researchers, should make choosing estrogen-blocking medications in clinical practise easier.

2021 research According to Trusted Source, women with oestrogen receptor-positive (ER-positive) breast cancer have a high probability of developing the disease again 32 years after receiving their initial diagnosis. The hormone oestrogen has receptors on the tumour cells in ER-positive breast cancer, which promotes the growth of the tumour.

According to several randomised controlled trials, estrogen-blocking medications like tamoxifen and exemestane (an aromatase inhibitor) can lower the incidence of ER-positive breast cancer in healthy women who are at increased risk of developing the disease by 30–50%.

The use of estrogen-blocking medications to prevent breast cancer is still uncommon despite encouraging trial results.

Estrogen blockers' negative consequences

However, estrogen-blocking drugs could have unfavourable side effects.

The researchers discovered that, for every 1,000 high-risk women, tamoxifen may cause up to 11 additional incidences of endometrial cancer.

Women who use oestrogen blockers at a higher risk of: Dr. Daniel F. Hayes, Stuart B. Padnos Professor of Breast Cancer Research at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, who was not involved in the study, told MNT that:

Hot flashes, vaginal dryness, and arthralgia (joint pain) are acute, but typically treatable side effects. Other potentially fatal toxicities include thrombosis and uterine malignancies (caused by tamoxifen), as well as osteopenia, osteoporosis, and bone fracture (from aromatase inhibitors)

Although she was not engaged in the study, Dr. Ruth Heisey, an associate professor at the University of Toronto and the medical director of the Peter Gilgan Centre for Women's Cancers, told MNT:

Some women may experience heat flashes, mood swings, or vaginal bleeding or discharge.

advantages of oestrogen blockers for breast cancer with a high risk

Researchers found that the benefit-risk balance of these medications could differ between people and depended on personal risk variables such age, previous biopsies, and family history of breast cancer.

All of the specialists who spoke with MNT agreed that each person should make the decision that is best for them when it comes to whether or not they should take estrogen-blocking medications if they have a high chance of developing ER-positive breast cancer.

Women should "not underestimate the impact of a healthy active lifestyle, cutting back on alcohol use, and keeping a healthy weight in reducing their likelihood of acquiring breast cancer — not a guarantee but certainly helpful," according to Dr. Heisey.

Dr. Heisey continued, "Women who want to be more proactive could consider the potential of adding a risk-reducing drug with their health care practitioner. High-risk women should be offered more intensive screening with MRI and mammography starting at age 30."