Anti-breast cancer drugs reduce bone density

The study, published in the online journal The Lancet Oncology on February 6, shows that the topical form of Exemestane, now widely used to prevent breast cancer in menopausal women, also reduces the rate. bone density, causing a risk of fracture or fracture in women.

Exemestane is a brand-name drug Aromasin, which is an anti-estrogen drug that helps treat breast cancer quite effectively (Estrogen is the main ingredient for many breast cancers).

Canadian bone research experts have observed a group of 4,500 women who have concerns about family history at risk of breast cancer when they agree to participate in the trial. Effective breast cancer prevention of Exemestane. The results showed that the drug was effective in treating breast cancer with 2/3 of the women.

Researchers then monitored more than 350 women when they were assigned to use both Exemestane and a placebo, then proceeded to take their bones with a high-tech scanner. After 2 years of research, the scientists found that women who took exemestane had a significant reduction in bone density, especially in areas at high risk of fracture such as the wrist bone (also called the bone area). peripheral dial) and shin bone, compared with women taking placebo.

More notably, users of Exemestane have the thickness of the bony bone (the outer protective bone of the bones) reduced by 8%. The study raises a startling question as 4 out of 5 cases of old-age fractures always occur in the shell bone layer, the cause of disability in patients.

Professor Angela Cheung of the University of Toronto Health Network and also the head of the study recommends that with research results on women, consider the benefits and risks of taking exemestane medicine carefully. to prevent breast cancer.