Tag Archives: Anastrozole

Breast Cancer

Breast Cancer

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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the United States. Although this cancer may occur in both men and women, it’s far more common in women. 

Breast cancer is cancer that starts in breast tissue. It happens when cells in the breast change and grow out of control. The cells usually form a tumor. Sometimes cancer does not spread any further. It may just spread to nearby tissues and lymph nodes. Or cancer may metastasize through the lymph system or the blood.

mammogram result on screen

Symptoms of Breast Cancer

  • Changes to the skin over the breast, such as dimpling
  • A newly inverted nipple
  • A breast lump or thickening that feels different from the surrounding tissue
  • Change in the size, shape, or appearance of a breast
  • Redness or pitting of the skin over your breast, like the skin of an orange
  • Peeling, scaling, crusting, or flaking of the pigmented area of skin surrounding the nipple or breast skin

Causes of Breast Cancer

Doctors know that breast cancer occurs when certain breast cells grow abnormally. The cells multiply more rapidly than healthy ones do, forming lumps or masses as they accumulate. Your breast cancer cells may spread (metastasize) to your lymph nodes or other parts of your body.

Most breast cancers start in the milk-producing ducts (invasive ductal carcinoma). Invasive lobular carcinoma may also develop in the glandular tissue called lobules (breast cancer).

Several factors can increase your risk of breast cancer, including hormonal, lifestyle, and environmental factors. However, it is not known why some people with no risk factors develop cancer while others with risk factors never do. Breast cancer is likely caused by a combination of your genetic makeup and the environment you live in.

Risk Factors of Breast Cancer

Factors that are associated with an increased risk of breast cancer include:

  • Increasing age
  • Being female
  • A personal history of breast conditions
  • A family history of breast cancer
  • Radiation exposure 
  • Obesity
  • Beginning your period at a younger age
  • Beginning menopause at an older age
  • Having your first child at an older age
  • Drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol increases the risk of breast cancer
  • Inherited genes that increase cancer risk. Certain gene mutations that increase the risk of breast cancer can be passed from parents to children.
mammogram machine

Diagnosis of Breast Cancer

Tests and procedures used to diagnose breast cancer include:

  • Breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Removing a sample of breast cells for testing (biopsy)
  • Breast ultrasound
  • Mammogram
  • Breast exam

Depending on your situation, other tests and procedures may be used. 

Treatment and Medications for Breast Cancer

Almost all women who have breast cancer undergo surgery, and many also receive additional treatment, such as chemotherapy, hormone therapy, or radiation. Chemotherapy is sometimes used before surgery as well.

You may feel overwhelmed as you make complicated decisions about breast cancer treatment. Consider seeking a second opinion from a breast specialist in a breast center or clinic. Talk to other women who have faced the same decision.

Medications used for Breast Cancer:

Prescribed for the Treatment of Oestrogen Receptor-positive Primary Breast Cancer

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Anastrozole is an anti-cancer prescription medication. It is prescribed for the treatment of oestrogen receptor-positive primary breast cancer among post-menopausal women. Specifically, it is used for:

  • Treatment of early breast cancer
  • Initial treatment of breast cancer that has spread to the other breast or other parts of the body (metastasized).
  • Treatment of advanced breast cancer even after taking Tamoxifen

It helps reduce the chance of cancer cells from returning and from spreading to other parts of the body. It also reduces the chances of new breast cancer from developing.

Anastrozole is classified as a non-steroidal aromatase inhibitor. It works by decreasing the amount of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is the key simulator of breast cancer. Breast cancer tumor grows when there is estrogen present. Anastrozole is used with other treatment such as radiation and surgery.

How to use Anastrozole?

Anastrozole comes in a tablet form that you need to take orally. Take this medication once a day with or without food. The usual recommended dose is one 1 mg per day. Take it at around the same time each day. Take it exactly as directed. An abrupt stop may increase the risk of your cancer from coming back.

The duration of your treatment is determined by your physician. For the primary breast cancer, take this drug for five years if it serves as hormone therapy. For locally advanced breast cancer, take this drug as long as it is keeping your cancer under control.

What are the side effects of Anastrozole?

Some of the side effects are:

  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Weakness
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Back pain
  • Extreme tiredness
  • High blood pressure
  • Depression
  • Sore throat
  • Thinning of the bone
  • Anxiety
  • Swelling of the lymph node

Serious side effects are:

  • Skin reaction like abnormal skin growth, blisters, open sores, pain, tingling and burning sensation
  • High cholesterol level
  • Vaginal bleeding
  • Severe vomiting (more than 5 times in 24 hours)
  • Liver problems with signs like jaundice and pain in the upper right side of the stomach.
  • Severe allergic reaction with symptoms such as hives, trouble breathing and swelling of throat and tongue.

In case of serious side effects, contact your health care provider right away.

Important Information

  • Children 0 to 17 years of age must not take this medication.
  • Do not take other drugs containing oestrogen while taking Anastrozole.
  • Do not take this medication together with Tamoxifen.
  • Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medications including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements.

Medication To Treat Early Stage of Breast Cancer

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Aromatase is an enzyme responsible for the conversion of testosterone to estrogen (E1). It also converts androstenedione to estradiol. (E2). Ovary and placenta are the major sources of estrogen. Highest levels of aromatase are found in premenopausal women. This enzyme is found in liver fat muscle and breast cancer cells. Some breast cancer tumors grow when estrogens present. This condition may lead to breast cancer in a women. Anastrozole is used as therapy of Breast cancer. It is sold under the brand name Arimidex.

How do Anastrozole works?

Anastrozole is a non-steroidal inhibitor of aromatase. This effectively blocks estrogen synthesis in post-menopausal women. It cut down the amount of this hormone that your body makes. This blocks the conversion of androgens to estrogens in peripheral tissues. Anastrozole prevents breast cancer by this mechanism.

What are the uses of Anastrozole?

  1. Decreases the amount of estrogen that the body makes.
  2. Slow or reverse the growth of the breast cancer.
  3. Used with other treatment such as surgery or radiation to treat early breast cancer.
  4. Treat breast cancer that is worsen after taking tamoxifen.
  5. The medication may be prescribe for other uses not included in medication guide.

How to take Anastrozole?

Dosage: – Anastrozole is available in the form of tablet of 1mg. General dose is 1mg tablet one time a day for five years. Take by mouth with or without food. Try to take the tablet same time ever day.

Continue to take the tablet as per Doctor’s prescription. You may need to take for five years or longer period or until doctors says to stop. Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water. Continue to take the tablet till tumor progression.

What is the precaution in taking Anastrozole?

Precaution may be need in certain condition discussed below. Inform or discuss with your Doctor regarding following conditions;

  1. If you are pregnant or plan to be pregnant. This medicine could harm unborn baby. Inform your doctor
  2. This medicine may lead to some type of allergy called as anaphylaxis.
  3. In case of itching, hives trouble.
  4. Breathing, trouble swallowing,
  5. Swelling on face mouth or hand
  6. Chest pain.
  7. It may decrease bone mineral density if used for long time.
  8. It may have increase your cholesterol or fat in the blood.
  9. Women with history of ischemic heart disease, may be at a risk of heart attack or stroke.
  10. Avoid alcohol. As it may make you feel tired and drowsy,

Cost of Anastrozole (Generic and Brand)

Both generic and brand drug contain Anastrozole as the main active ingredient. So the action of mechanism is same in both case. But the difference in the price is due to the packaging, pricing and the brand name of the company.

Generic medicine are cheaper because they don’t spent much on research. Other cost-cutting measures allow us to sell generic Anastrozole at low price.

Cost of Anastrozole –

Pack of 30 tablets of 1mg cost $ 79.0, per unit cost is $ 2.63.

Brand Arimidex –

Pack of 30 tablets of 1mg cost $ 458.61, per unit cost is $15.29.