Bone drug may help breast

Wednesday March 3rd, 2010

Women who are taking a common drug for the health of their bones may also be enjoying unexpected protection against breast cancer, researchers revealed today.

Just two years of treatment with the osteoporosis drugs is linked to a 40 per cent reduction in breast cancer risk.

The drugs are known as bisphosphonates - and how they protect the breast remains a mystery to researchers.

The findings, reported in the British Journal of Cancer, come from a study of some 6,000 women in the USA.

Women with breast cancer were compared with those without the disease by researchers in Seattle, Washington State, USA.

Experts said it was too early to suggest using the anti-osteoporosis drugs for preventing breast cancer.

Dr Lesley Walker, of Cancer Research UK, said: "This is an interesting result but important questions remain about using this type of drug to help reduce breast cancer risk.

"It's important that researchers find out more about how these drugs act on cancer cells and whether the drug is only appropriate for certain women.

"All drugs have potential side effects and before any drug can be recommended to prevent or treat a disease thorough testing needs to be completed."

Professor Jack Cuzick, also of Cancer Research UK, said a small group of women were testing the drugs as part of a major study of breast cancer prevention.

Researcher Dr Polly Newcomb of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington, USA, said: "These medications inhibit the growth of many cell types, and this large study suggests that the development of breast tumours may also be affected."

Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis treatment are associated with reduced breast cancer risk. Newcomb, P.A. BJC, 2010.

Tags: Cancer | North America | Orthopaedics | UK News | Women’s Health & Gynaecology

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