Women with breast cancer improve their prospects by staying the course of treatment with the drug tamoxifen, researchers say today.
Completing five years of treatment with the drug leads to a small but significant improvement chance of avoiding future cancer, according to a British study.
Researchers compared the effects of taking the drug for five years with taking it for two years.
They concluded that for every 100 women who completed a five year course, there would be six who were spared a return of disease as a result.
Some 3,500 women took part in the London-based research over a period of nearly 20 years.
Of those who took tamoxifen for five years, some 40 per cent experienced a recurrence of cancer within the following decade. This compared with 46 per cent of those who took it for just two years.
The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology last night.
Researchers Dr Allan Hackshaw, of University College London, said: "Our study provides conclusive evidence that taking tamoxifen for five years offers women the best chance of surviving breast cancer.
"Women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer who are prescribed tamoxifen are recommended to take the drug for five years, but we know that many stop after two or three.
"Worryingly our results suggest that by doing this, they could increase their risk of cancer coming back.”
Kate Law, of Cancer Research UK, added: "It’s vital that doctors and nurses continue encouraging women to finish their course of tamoxifen and providing the necessary support to ensure any side-effects are effectively managed.
"We would urge anyone who experiences problems taking their medication to consult their doctor without delay."
* A second study published in the journal suggests that doctors treating lung cancer should count the number of cancer cells in the blood.
Manchester researchers say this can show how aggressive a cancer is and help determine the best treatment.
Long-term benefits of 5 years of tamoxifen: 10- year follow-up of a large randomized trial in women at least 50 years of age with early breast cancer. Hackshaw et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology March 21 2011
Evaluation and prognostic significance of circulating tumor cells in patients with non-small- cell lung cancer. Krebs, M. G et al. Journal of Clinical Oncology March 21 2011
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