Can Arimidex prevent breast cancer?
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Walgreens answered:It some cases, doctors prescribe Arimidex to help prevent breast cancer reoccurrence in postmenopausal women. It cannot prevent or cure all types of breast cancer. However, it can be effective in treating some early-stage breast cancers. Arimidex is in a family of medicines called nonsteroidal aromatase inhibitors that reduce the level of estrogen in postmenopausal women. By lowering the estrogen level, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer cells have less estrogen to use as fuel for growth. Arimidex is the brand name for the medication anastrozole.
Answers to questions regarding information about medications or health conditions are not for diagnostic or treatment purposes and are not conclusive as to the presence or absence of any health condition. Individuals using this site are encouraged to consult their healthcare provider regarding their specific medical condition. Information provided by Walgreens does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.It some cases, doctors prescribe Arimidex to help prevent breast cancer reoccurrence in postmenopausal women. It cannot prevent or cure all types of breast cancer. However, it can be effective in treating some early-stage breast cancers. Arimidex is... More -
Dr. William Owens of Aurora Health Care answered:Arimidex (anastrozole) is an aromatase inhibitor, meaning that in post-menopausal women, it will inhibit an enzyme that creates estrogen in the body, and thus lower overall estrogen levels. It has been used for years in the treatment of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. No study has yet been completed that assesses anastrozole's efficacy to prevent breast cancer, however another aromatase inhibitor (exemestane) has been studied and has been shown to be effective to prevent breast cancer, at least in high risk women. It is likely that anastrozole has the same effect, but again has not yet been studied for that purpose. There are two other medications, both selective estrogen receptor modulators (i.e. SERM's) that have also been shown to prevent breast cancer in high risk women, namely raloxifene and tamoxifen. These work by inhibiting the effect of estrogen on receptors in the breast cell. Raloxifene is for post-menopausal women only, tamoxifen can be used pre- or post-menopausally.
Liked by 1 practitionerArimidex (anastrozole) is an aromatase inhibitor, meaning that in post-menopausal women, it will inhibit an enzyme that creates estrogen in the body, and thus lower overall estrogen levels. It has been used for years in the treatment of estrogen... More -
Dr. Ajay Sahajpal of Aurora Health Care answered:Arimidex or anastrozole is usually used as an adjuvant treatment similar to chemotherapy, after someone has had breast cancer diagnosed and surgery. On occasion, it has been used in patients that are at very high risk to develop breast cancer.Liked by 1 practitionerArimidex or anastrozole is usually used as an adjuvant treatment similar to chemotherapy, after someone has had breast cancer diagnosed and surgery. On occasion, it has been used in patients that are at very high risk to develop breast cancer. More
