Breakthrough treatment as NICE approves a new class of breast cancer drugs
01/01/2000
We found you very professional as well as approachable, helpful and caring. We can now move on and look forward to a more stable and secure future. I am sure that this would not have happened without yourselves being involved.
Jayne, EveshamThe National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has recommended Arimidex (anastrozole), Femara (letrozole) and Aromasin (exemestane) be used for the treatment of early breast cancer in post-menopausal women
The three aromatase inhibitors target the natural production of the hormone oestrogen, which is responsible for the growth and recurrence of many breast cancers, to reduce the risk of tumours spreading following surgery. This announcement could benefit thousands of women with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.
Although final approval for use of the drugs will not be published until November, the Government has stressed that doctors are able to prescribe the drugs now.
Early studies by Cancer Research UK, have shown that patients who switched from tamoxifen to Aromasin halfway through treatment reduced the risk of the disease returning by a third.
Similarly a trial with Arimidex immediately after surgery showed an extra 26% cut in cancer recurrence on top of the 50% reduction provided by tamoxifen.
And Femara has also been shown to be more effective than tamoxifen in a number of studies.
Specialist healthcare public law solicitor Yogi Amin, who has successfully represented several women fighting for the right to receive life-saving breast cancer drugs said:
"I am delighted that these ground-breaking cancer drugs have been approved by NICE. This decision will have a significant impact on the quality of life of many breast cancer patients. It is now in the hands of the PCTs to ensure they provide the drugs to those patients who are prescribed them by their GP."
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