Estrogen Blockers Could Reduce Breast Cancer Mortality

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With advancements in modern medicine, the overall rate of new breast cancer cases has declined a total of 43 percent since 1989, says Breastcancer.org. That is a promising number. However, it can trigger confusing emotions. You likely know someone who has had breast cancer. Most individuals do – sometimes there are several degrees of separation and sometimes the case hits very close to home. The American Cancer Society reports that, while Black women are diagnosed with breast cancer at slightly lower rates than white women, Black women are dying from breast cancer more – 40 percent more to be exact. The causes for this discrepancy are complex, rooted in (you guessed it) racist systems and maddening.

Today, however, there is some good news for all women at risk of breast cancer. For decades, breast cancer researchers have been hesitant to prescribe let alone thoroughly examine the effects of estrogen blockers treatment for breast cancer patients. But a new computer technology allowed one group of researchers to explore the long-term benefits of estrogen blockers, and the results were astounding. Here’s what we learned.

A Quick Review Of Estrogen Blocking Treatment

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There are different types of breast cancer, and the type evaluated in this particular study was estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. A woman with this form of breast cancer has tumors with estrogen receptors on them. These receptors can spur the growth of the tumor when estrogen is present. Estrogen-blocking treatment blocks the enzyme used by the body to make estrogen, slowing the growth of these tumors.

So, why isn’t every woman with this form of breast cancer being given this treatment? Medical researchers and providers have shied away from prescribing estrogen blockers for fear that the side effects would outweigh the benefits.

The New Research

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While researchers have been hesitant to look at the long-term effects of estrogen blockers on human subjects, researchers from Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center along with other institutes were able to use a computer model to assess the efficacy of estrogen-blocking treatment on a population after a five-year use.

Through this computer model, the researchers were able to quantify the results of a regimen of five years of estrogen-blocking treatment along with annual screening. They compared the outcome to a control group that received only annual screenings, but no treatment. The full report can be found in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. What they found was that the group that received an estrogen-blocking treatment called Tamoxifen, saw a reduced risk of invasive breast cancer and mortality by 40 to 57 percent compared to those without treatment.

What Are The Implications?

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Do these findings mean that all women at risk for receptor-positive breast cancer should start taking estrogen blockers? While the medical community is hopeful about these new findings, most doctors assert that the decision should be made on a case-by-case basis. Other factors including family history and biopsy results will need to be taken into consideration.

Additionally, the concern surrounding side effects remains. Researchers have found that women can experience side effects from estrogen blockers ranging from mild to severe. Mild side effects can mean hot flashes, vaginal dryness and joint pain. Fortunately, these are typically reversible. However, serious side effects include an increased risk for endometrial cancer (11 more cases per every 1,000 high-risk women), as well as other cancers including uterine and thrombosis, and bone conditions like osteoporosis.

This is a major breakthrough for the medical community and women at risk for breast cancer. If you are at high risk for receptor-positive breast cancer, speak to your doctor to know if estrogen-blocking treatment is right for you.