December 22nd, 2009
A new study has revealed the exciting possibility that bone-building drugs like Fosamax and Actonel will help with the prevention of breast cancer.
When the study began, women already taking this type of medication were one-third less likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in the next 7 years, compared to women not taking the pills.
The study by itself is not effective enough in proving that this type of drug, also called bisphosphonates, is able to fully prevent breast cancer. More research is needed in order to give a clear view into the full benefits of the drugs.
The news has created a buzz in the medical world that began last year when researchers began reporting that bisphosphonates could decrease the chance of cancer coming back in women who have already undergone treatment for the disease.
Doctors are beginning to see that healthy women may also benefit from the protection these drugs will offer.
There are millions of women who are already taking bone-building drugs for treatment of osteoporosis or to help stop cancer from fracturing bones.
The only drugs that have been approved to prevent breast cancer in healthy women at a higher risk are tamoxifen and raloxifene used as hormone blockers. These Canadian prescription drugs have side effects of hot flashes, high blood pressure and blood clots.
Prices for bisphosphonate drugs range from $38.00 for 12 tabs to $508.35 for 90 tabs.
