New Treatment Significantly Improves Long-term Outlook For Breast Cancer Survivors

The clinical trial has been halted early because of the positive results and researchers are notifying the 5,187 women worldwide who have participated in the study. Women on letrozole will continue taking the drug and those on the placebo can begin taking letrozole, if they wish.

Study researchers found that letrozole, when taken after five years of tamoxifen therapy, substantially increased the chance of remaining cancer free. In total, 132 women taking the placebo had their disease recur compared to 75 on letrozole. Overall, letrozole reduced the risk of recurrence by 43 percent, so that after four years of participating in the trial, 13 percent of the women on the placebo, but only seven percent, of those on letrozole had recurred. Deaths from breast cancer were also reduced. Seventeen women taking the placebo died of breast cancer compared to nine taking letrozole.

While tamoxifen is widely used to prevent breast cancer recurrence in post-menopausal women, it stops being effective after five years because, scientists believe, tumours become resistant to it.

For more information on the results of this clinical trial and what it might mean for you:

A Q&A on this finding can be found at:http://cancer.gov/newscenter/pressreleases/letrozoleQandA

More information on aromatase inhibitors can be found at: http://cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/developments/aromatase-inhibitors-digest

In Canada, call the Canadian Cancer Society at 1-888-939-3333, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., or visit
www.cancer.ca Service is available in English and French.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Judy Noordermeer
Canadian Cancer Society
416) 961-7223

Caroline McNeil
National Cancer Institute
(301) 496-6641

Message posted by: Rashmi Nemade