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Breast cancer survivors who cut short preventative treatment 'risk early death' Breast cancer survivors who cut short preventative treatment 'risk early death'
(6 months later)
Women who stop taking tablets to prevent breast cancer returning before the end of the recommended five years risk an earlier death, according to research.Women who stop taking tablets to prevent breast cancer returning before the end of the recommended five years risk an earlier death, according to research.
A study carried out on nearly 3,400 women in Tayside, Scotland, found that only half who had been given tamoxifen, or one of a class of newer antihormone drugs called aromatase inhibitors, after breast cancer treatment were still taking the pills at the end of five years. Some had stopped; others reduced the dose.A study carried out on nearly 3,400 women in Tayside, Scotland, found that only half who had been given tamoxifen, or one of a class of newer antihormone drugs called aromatase inhibitors, after breast cancer treatment were still taking the pills at the end of five years. Some had stopped; others reduced the dose.
Those who had given up after three years were three times more likely to die of breast cancer, during the follow-up period of the study, than those who took the pills for 80% of the time for all five years.Those who had given up after three years were three times more likely to die of breast cancer, during the follow-up period of the study, than those who took the pills for 80% of the time for all five years.
The research was carried out by Dr Colin McCowan of the University of Glasgow, with colleagues from the University of Dundee, funded by the charity Breast Cancer Campaign.The research was carried out by Dr Colin McCowan of the University of Glasgow, with colleagues from the University of Dundee, funded by the charity Breast Cancer Campaign.
They looked at the numbers of prescriptions for tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors that were collected over five years by 3,361 women treated for breast cancer in Tayside – which was the best indicator they could find of how well women were complying with the drug treatment regime. The women had all started taking the drugs at some point between 1993 and 2008. All the data was anonymised.They looked at the numbers of prescriptions for tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors that were collected over five years by 3,361 women treated for breast cancer in Tayside – which was the best indicator they could find of how well women were complying with the drug treatment regime. The women had all started taking the drugs at some point between 1993 and 2008. All the data was anonymised.
Those women who had collected less than 80% of the drugs prescribed for a year were classified in the study published in the British Journal of Cancer as having "low adherence" to the treatment.Those women who had collected less than 80% of the drugs prescribed for a year were classified in the study published in the British Journal of Cancer as having "low adherence" to the treatment.
Most women took the drugs as prescribed to begin with – in the first year, they collected 90% of their tablets. But this gradually dropped over subsequent years, to 82%, 77% and then 59%. By the end of the fifth year, half the women were collecting only 51% of their prescriptions.Most women took the drugs as prescribed to begin with – in the first year, they collected 90% of their tablets. But this gradually dropped over subsequent years, to 82%, 77% and then 59%. By the end of the fifth year, half the women were collecting only 51% of their prescriptions.
Many women complain of the side-effects of the hormonal drugs. The most common are menopausal-type symptoms, such as hot flushes and sweating. Other people feel sick or suffer indigestion or put on weight. Less common are depression, headaches, blood clots and vision problems.Many women complain of the side-effects of the hormonal drugs. The most common are menopausal-type symptoms, such as hot flushes and sweating. Other people feel sick or suffer indigestion or put on weight. Less common are depression, headaches, blood clots and vision problems.
"This study shows us that it's vitally important that breast cancer patients across the UK follow their prescribed treatment regimes on a daily basis for the full five-year period," said Dr McCowan."This study shows us that it's vitally important that breast cancer patients across the UK follow their prescribed treatment regimes on a daily basis for the full five-year period," said Dr McCowan.
"We're now looking at why women are finding it harder to take medication for extended periods of time and we do know that side effects can be a real issue for women on long term treatments such as tamoxifen. This is why women need the support of their clinicians so that they can discuss any problems they are having rather than stopping taking treatments.""We're now looking at why women are finding it harder to take medication for extended periods of time and we do know that side effects can be a real issue for women on long term treatments such as tamoxifen. This is why women need the support of their clinicians so that they can discuss any problems they are having rather than stopping taking treatments."
Lady Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "Breast cancer treatments are there to give women the best chance of a long and full life after a diagnosis so these findings are hugely worrying. We need to give women clear, helpful and timely communication as well as the best clinical support to find ways to manage what can often be extremely difficult side effects and make it easier for them to continue to take treatments.Lady Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Campaign, said: "Breast cancer treatments are there to give women the best chance of a long and full life after a diagnosis so these findings are hugely worrying. We need to give women clear, helpful and timely communication as well as the best clinical support to find ways to manage what can often be extremely difficult side effects and make it easier for them to continue to take treatments.
"Taking tamoxifen for 10 years has been recommended as one of the ways to prevent more breast cancers returning and reduce the chance of women dying, so it's going to be even more important to help women to take drugs for longer periods of time.""Taking tamoxifen for 10 years has been recommended as one of the ways to prevent more breast cancers returning and reduce the chance of women dying, so it's going to be even more important to help women to take drugs for longer periods of time."
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