My Breakthrough
Aromatase inhibitors
Aromatase inhibitors can be used to treat women with oestrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer who have gone through the menopause.
They can be given to treat breast cancer that has spread or come back (secondary breast cancer) and are now also recommended as a treatment for early breast cancer.
There are three aromatase inhibitors that are recommended for use in treating breast cancer:
Previously, the standard hormone treatment for early breast cancer had been five years of treatment with tamoxifen. Now, some women are receiving one of the following treatment regimens:
Aromatase inhibitors work differently from anti-oestrogens. They block the activity of an enzyme, called aromatase. This is needed to convert androgen hormones into oestrogen. After the menopause, the ovaries no longer make oestrogen.
The only way the body makes oestrogen is from androgens. So, by blocking aromatase activity, aromatase inhibitors prevent oestrogen from helping breast cancer cells to grow.
Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stop you getting dehydrated, and talk to your doctor if any side effects become a problem. He or she will probably be able to give you some medicines to help.
To find out more about this treatment, visit the Cancerbackup website.
There are three aromatase inhibitors that are recommended for use in treating breast cancer:
- anastrozole [brand name Arimidex]
- exemestane [Aromasin]
- letrozole [Femara]
Previously, the standard hormone treatment for early breast cancer had been five years of treatment with tamoxifen. Now, some women are receiving one of the following treatment regimens:
- five years treatment with an aromatase inhibitor
- switching to an aromatase inhibitor after two or three years of tamoxifen
- after finishing treatment with tamoxifen for five years taking an aromatase inhibitor for a further three years.
Aromatase inhibitors work differently from anti-oestrogens. They block the activity of an enzyme, called aromatase. This is needed to convert androgen hormones into oestrogen. After the menopause, the ovaries no longer make oestrogen.
The only way the body makes oestrogen is from androgens. So, by blocking aromatase activity, aromatase inhibitors prevent oestrogen from helping breast cancer cells to grow.
How do you take them?
You take a tablet of anastrozole or one of the other aromatase inhibitors each day. Your cancer specialist will discuss with you how long you are likely to continue taking this treatment. But it could be several months or years.Side effects
You may get menopausal symptoms when you take aromatase inhibitors. These include hot flushes, vaginal dryness and tiredness. Some women feel a bit sick, others get headaches or diarrhoea, and some women get generalised muscular pains.Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stop you getting dehydrated, and talk to your doctor if any side effects become a problem. He or she will probably be able to give you some medicines to help.
To find out more about this treatment, visit the Cancerbackup website.
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