What is the best estrogen blocker for breast cancer?

Anastrozole (Arimidex). Anastrozole is used to reduce the risk of cancer recurrence in women who have been treated for early-stage breast cancer. It can also be used to treat advanced breast cancer.

What happens if you don’t take estrogen blockers after breast cancer?

A study has found that postmenopausal women who stop taking hormonal therapy early or skip doses are much more likely to have a breast cancer recurrence than women who take hormonal therapy as prescribed. The research was published online on May 23, 2016 by the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

What are side effects of estrogen blockers?

Common side effects

• Hot flashes and night sweats.
• Joint and muscle pain.
• Loss of bone mineral density (may lead to osteoporosis or bone fractures)
• Loss of sex drive.
• Vaginal dryness or itching.

Does taking estrogen after menopause cause breast cancer?

Estrogen-only HRT increases the risk of breast cancer, but only when used for more than 10 years. Estrogen-only HRT also can increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The higher breast cancer risk from using HRT is the same for so-called “bioidentical” and “natural” hormones as it is for synthetic hormones.

Which is better anastrozole or tamoxifen?

Previously reported results showed that anastrozole was slightly better than tamoxifen in preventing recurrence. The 10-year breast cancer–free interval rate was 89.2% for tamoxifen and 93.5% for anastrozole (P = . 03).

Does letrozole put on weight?

Weight gain is one of the occasional side effects that can occur when taking letrozole but if you are finding it difficult to control then it may be worth getting in touch with your doctor to let them know.

Should a postmenopausal woman take estrogen?

Systemic estrogen therapy remains the most effective treatment for the relief of troublesome menopausal hot flashes and night sweats. Have other symptoms of menopause. Estrogen can ease vaginal symptoms of menopause, such as dryness, itching, burning and discomfort with intercourse.

How does aromatase inhibitors work in postmenopausal women?

Aromatase inhibitors stop the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme aromatase, which turns the hormone androgen into small amounts of estrogen in the body.

Which is better for breast cancer, tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitor?

an aromatase inhibitor is the best hormonal therapy to start with. When treating early-stage, hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer, aromatase inhibitors have more benefits and fewer serious side effects than tamoxifen.

Are there any drugs to reduce the risk of breast cancer?

These drugs are not yet approved in the US to lower breast cancer risk. However, some expert groups include them as options (along with tamoxifen and raloxifene) to reduce breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women who are at increased risk.

What kind of hormone therapy can I take for breast cancer?

Men with early-stage ER-positive breast cancer who receive adjuvant therapy are usually treated first with tamoxifen. Those treated with an aromatase inhibitor usually also take a GnRH agonist.