Hi ladies, I wonder if any of you have seen this today in the news? a bit worrying i’m sure for some, i am totally confused by the article as I take anastrozole, and in the article itself it mentions it is specifically used for advanced breast cancer, i don’t recall ever being told that was my diagnosis. I have posted the link here and i hope you can get into it, it is worth a read.
news.uk.msn.com/uk/breast-cancer-drug-left-on-shelf-1
Cheers, Michele x
Interesting article. Michele I think they use the term advanced breast cancer, because the comparison is that they want to use the drug to prevent cancer. Therefore it’s currently being used for advanced Cancer, in other words Cancer that has already been detected. So don’t worry about it.
As for them licensing these drugs for use to prevent Cancer. I’m not sure I would of taken them IF there was only a chance that I might get BC! I don’t agree in taking any drug, unless I need it. The theory of taking it just in case, with all the possible side effects that come with it, just seems odd to me!
I’m sure others might have a very different view.
I take anastrazole for primary breast cancer, grade 3, started it after finishing chemo. It has always been used for this. But new thinking is that women who KNOW they are at risk would benefit by taking these drugs to prevent getting breast cancer. I don’t think it’s any different to women taking HRT to prevent getting Osteoporosis, and as we all know, HRT can actually cause breast cancer. It depends on your point of view really. Are you more afraid of getting breast cancer and are prepared to put up with any side effects Anastrazole MIGHT cause (I don’t have any) or would you rather take the risk of getting BC and all that entails just to avoid any possible SEs? I know which I’d choose, but women in that situation are apparently not being given that choice. Come on NICE, get your act together!!