Your browser version may not work well with NCBI's Web applications. More information here...
1: Breast Cancer Res. 2002;4(6):218-21. Epub 2002 Sep 10.Click here to read Click here to read Links

A new day dawns: women without oestrogen or is a balance best?

Jordan VC.

Robert H Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. vcjordan@northwestern.edu

Building on the 30-year success story with tamoxifen, the question now is whether one agent can be used for treatment and prevention or should new medicines be targeted to specific applications? The early results with anastrozole suggest it could replace tamoxifen for treatment and should be tested as a preventive. Unfortunately, long-term testing of aromatase inhibitors will be required to avoid concerns about osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease and coronary heart disease. Most importantly, the knowledge gained with tamoxifen has resulted in a new generation of selective oestrogen receptor modulators that can be used to prevent osteoporosis, breast cancer and uterine cancer. It is now clear that strategies utilising aromatase inhibitors and selective oestrogen receptor modulators will provide much needed options for individualised treatments.

PMID: 12473166 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PMCID: PMC137939

Patient Drug Information

  • Estrogen (Cenestin® , Enjuvia® , Estrace® , ...)

    Estrogen is used to treat hot flushes ('hot flashes'; sudden strong feelings of heat and sweating) in women who are experiencing menopause ('change of life', the end of monthly menstrual periods). Some brands of estrogen...

  • Tamoxifen (Nolvadex® )

    Your doctor has prescribed tamoxifen for you. Tamoxifen comes as a tablet to take by mouth.

  • Anastrozole (Arimidex® )

    Anastrozole is used alone or with other treatments, such as surgery or radiation, to treat early breast cancer in women who have experienced menopause (change of life; end of monthly menstrual periods). This medication i...

  • Source: AHFS Consumer Medication Information