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| Cheap drugs cut breast cancer deaths by 18% | Cheap drugs cut breast cancer deaths by 18% |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| Cheap drugs normally used to strengthen bone can cut deaths from breast cancer, research shows. | Cheap drugs normally used to strengthen bone can cut deaths from breast cancer, research shows. |
| A charity said it was one of the most important findings in breast cancer treatment for a decade and could save 1,000 lives a year in the UK. | A charity said it was one of the most important findings in breast cancer treatment for a decade and could save 1,000 lives a year in the UK. |
| The data from 18,766 women, published in the Lancet, showed the drugs prevented secondary tumours growing in the bone. | The data from 18,766 women, published in the Lancet, showed the drugs prevented secondary tumours growing in the bone. |
| The drugs are not currently available for this purpose on the NHS. | The drugs are not currently available for this purpose on the NHS. |
| By the time a tumour is removed from the breast there is always a risk that tiny fragments have already spread. | By the time a tumour is removed from the breast there is always a risk that tiny fragments have already spread. |
| Bone is the favourite second home of breast cancer where it can lie dormant for years. | Bone is the favourite second home of breast cancer where it can lie dormant for years. |
| Bone booster | Bone booster |
| Bisphosphonates are mainly used to prevent bone loss in osteoporosis. | Bisphosphonates are mainly used to prevent bone loss in osteoporosis. |
| It is thought they can effectively starve any cancerous cells that do spread to the bone to stop them growing. | It is thought they can effectively starve any cancerous cells that do spread to the bone to stop them growing. |
| Some women take them after a cancer has been detected in their bones. | Some women take them after a cancer has been detected in their bones. |
| But the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group, co-ordinated by the University of Oxford, analysed the impact of intervening earlier. | But the Early Breast Cancer Trialists' Collaborative Group, co-ordinated by the University of Oxford, analysed the impact of intervening earlier. |
| It analysed data from 26 separate trials of women who were given the drug for up to five years after a cancer was removed from their breast. | It analysed data from 26 separate trials of women who were given the drug for up to five years after a cancer was removed from their breast. |
| The results showed a 28% reduction in cancers emerging in the bone, but only in post-menopausal women. | The results showed a 28% reduction in cancers emerging in the bone, but only in post-menopausal women. |
| Deaths were cut by 18% over the 10 years after they were first diagnosed. | Deaths were cut by 18% over the 10 years after they were first diagnosed. |
| Prof Rob Coleman, who analysed the data at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC News website: "The magnitude of the benefit on mortality was bigger than we had anticipated - a risk reduction of 18% is quite sizeable." | Prof Rob Coleman, who analysed the data at the University of Sheffield, told the BBC News website: "The magnitude of the benefit on mortality was bigger than we had anticipated - a risk reduction of 18% is quite sizeable." |
| However, the drug is not licensed for use unless a cancer has been discovered in the bone. | However, the drug is not licensed for use unless a cancer has been discovered in the bone. |
| And as the drug is out of patent there is little financial incentive for a pharmaceutical company to change the licence. | And as the drug is out of patent there is little financial incentive for a pharmaceutical company to change the licence. |
| Prof Coleman added: "The access issue is an important one. It would be a great shame if the systems we have to work with prove to be a block. | Prof Coleman added: "The access issue is an important one. It would be a great shame if the systems we have to work with prove to be a block. |
| "Normally the problem is we can't afford [a new drug] but this is peanuts, it's that there isn't a mechanism for this and there needs to be." | "Normally the problem is we can't afford [a new drug] but this is peanuts, it's that there isn't a mechanism for this and there needs to be." |
| Lady Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: "We believe that this is one of the most important steps forward in breast cancer treatment since the introduction of Herceptin over 10 years ago, but this time we're talking about a few pence rather than thousands of pounds, and millions saved by the NHS. | Lady Morgan, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, said: "We believe that this is one of the most important steps forward in breast cancer treatment since the introduction of Herceptin over 10 years ago, but this time we're talking about a few pence rather than thousands of pounds, and millions saved by the NHS. |
| "However, despite costing less than five pence a day per patient, this treatment runs the risk of 'sitting on the shelf', and not realising its full benefit for the 34,000 [post-menopausal] women who could be eligible to take it each year." | "However, despite costing less than five pence a day per patient, this treatment runs the risk of 'sitting on the shelf', and not realising its full benefit for the 34,000 [post-menopausal] women who could be eligible to take it each year." |
| An NHS cancer task force led by the head of Cancer Research UK this week called for new guidelines to be produced on bisphosphonates. | An NHS cancer task force led by the head of Cancer Research UK this week called for new guidelines to be produced on bisphosphonates. |
| Are you a post-menopausal woman undergoing breast cancer treatment? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your views. | |
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