Breast Cancer Prevention: Aromatase Inhibitors American Cancer Society

Aromatase inhibitors work by binding to aromatase and preventing aromatization from occurring. By doing so, the production of estrogen may be reduced by as much as 95% in postmenopausal women. Despite these benefits, aromatase inhibitors can cause significant side effects, including accelerated bone loss leading to osteoporosis. When used to lower breast cancer risk, these drugs are typically taken for 5 years.

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What are the potential benefits of this treatment?

Learn about the importance of completing treatment with an aromatase inhibitor. Anastrozole, exemestane and letrozole are equally effective and have similar side effects [90, ]. To learn about a specific aromatase inhibitor, visit the National Institutes of Health’s Medline Plus website.

How do aromatase inhibitors work?

• In large studies, both anastrozole and exemestane have been shown to lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women who are at increased risk.
• Women who take an aromatase inhibitor for more than 5 years continue to have side effects while taking the drug, including a higher number of bone fractures and a higher rate of osteoporosis [112, ].
• Hormones are substances that function as chemical messengers in the body.
• However, some premenopausal women may take an aromatase inhibitor when combined with ovarian suppression, which shuts down the ovaries.
• For some people with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer (one of the most common types), aromatase inhibitors are a safe, effective treatment.

Together with your health care team, make thoughtful, informed decisions that are best for you. Each treatment has risks and benefits to consider along with your own https://balancedgrowth.mn/2024/07/18/turinabol-effects-what-you-need-to-know/ values and lifestyle. Learn more about risk-lowering drugs for women at high risk of breast cancer. However, aromatase inhibitors are not FDA-approved for use as risk-lowering drugs. However, some premenopausal women may take an aromatase inhibitorwhen combined with ovarian suppression, which shuts down the ovaries. For a summary of research studies on aromatase inhibitors and early breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

More about Aromasin (exemestane)

Until recently, most women who received adjuvant hormone therapy to reduce the chance of a breast cancer recurrence took tamoxifen every day for 5 years. Hormone therapy following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy has been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence in people with early-stage hormone-sensitive breast cancers. It also can effectively reduce the risk of metastatic breast cancer growth and progression in people with hormone-sensitive cancers. People with estrogen-positive breast cancers may benefit from hormone therapy to prevent cancer from returning.