Side effects good news for breast cancer patients
Breast cancer treatment side effects could be good news
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Thursday, 30, Oct 2008 01:01
Breast cancer patients taking treatment who suffer side effects like hot flushes and sleepless nights are less likely to suffer a recurrence, scientists have found.
Research by Cancer Research UK based on the 2004 clinical trial of Arimidex and Tamoxifen found those patients who experienced painful joints and other side effects were ten per cent less likely to suffer a recurrence.
There was no difference for side effects developing before the treatment began but those who experienced the side effects caused by the drugs found it could be a blessing in disguise.
"Our study found that hot flushes, night sweats and painful joints could be used to predict how effective a breast cancer patient’s hormonal treatment will be," Professor Jack Cuzick of Cancer Research UK said.
"Women who reported any of these symptoms within three months of starting treatment with tamoxifen or anastrozole were less likely to have a recurrence of breast cancer, compared to women who did not experience them."
Prof Cuzick explained the treatment works by depriving potential cancers of oestrogen.
"But it is too early to say whether having these symptoms is essential for the treatment to be effective," he added.
"At the moment all we can say is that the symptoms indicate the likely success of the treatment."
It is hoped further research into the genetics behind individual patient research will help doctors to better target future treatment for patients.