After skin cancer, breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer in women, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Breast cancer is also the seventh-leading cause of death for women in the United States. Each year approximately 240,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Fortunately, there are treatments available for breast cancer that send the disease into remission and prevent future recurrences.
Prescription drugs help treat breast cancer in post-menopausal women
Background
Breast cancer occurs when cells inside the breast begin to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. These malignant or cancerous cells have the potential to spread to other parts of the body through the lymphatic system, causing secondary cancers in other areas. The female hormone estrogen stimulates breast tissue and exacerbates breast cancer, causing it to grow and spread more quickly.
Function
Radiation therapy uses focused beams of radioactive energy to target cancerous cells in breast tissue. This energy destroys cancer cells left over after surgeries like lumpectomies or mastectomies, which are used to remove cancerous tumors. Femara is a prescription medication that limits estrogen levels in the body, preventing breast cancer both from spreading and returning. Because Femara greatly limits estrogen, doctors reserve the use of the drug to women who have already undergone menopause and are no longer menstruating, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Features
Radiation therapy decreases the risk of a second breast cancer tumor in 70 percent of women, according to BreastCancer.org. Therapy usually takes place every few days or weekly for a number of weeks. Femara is taken daily in the form of a 25mg tablet. Approximately 92 percent of women who take Femara remain cancer-free two years after remission, according to the drug's official website.
Risks
Radiation therapy frequently causes side effects to the skin on your breasts, including itching, redness and darkening, which is likely to persist for up to two months after treatment ends, according to the American Cancer Society. There is also a potential for breast symptoms and changes, including tenderness, pain, swelling and increased size. Because radiation therapy sometimes affects the lungs, coughing and difficulty breathing and swallowing are also possible side effects. The most common side effects of Femara occur in 1 to 33 percent of women and include hot flashes, joint pain, night sweats, weight gain, nausea, fatigue, swelling, muscle pain, vaginal bleeding, headaches, vomiting, dizziness and constipation, according to RxList. Femara also poses a risk for potentially life-threatening cardiovascular problems, including heart attacks, blood clots, and stroke. Approximately 2 percent of women who take Femara develop osteoporosis due to the decreased estrogen levels the drug causes.
Self-Care
A healthy, balanced diet and adequate sleep help reduce the side effects of radiation therapy, according to the American Cancer Society. Wearing loose clothing and avoiding bras also helps with the skin side effects of radiotherapy. If you develop side effects from Femara, the makers of the drug suggest that you let your oncologist know. Together, you may find solutions to help you cope with these adverse effects.
Tags: side effects, breast cancer, percent women, according American, according American Cancer, American Cancer
