Breast Cancer is a disease that is widely prevalent in the world today, since it has come to the forefront more cases of its spreading are being highlighted. Using figures obtained from the 2013 WHO health study, it can be estimated that over 508,000 women died in 2011 due to breast cancer.
Although breast cancer is thought to be a disease of the developed world, almost 50% of the cases and 58% of deaths occur in less under-developed countries. In terms of survival, the rate can vary globally, various studies have shown the survival rate to be 80% or over in North America, Sweden and Japan to around 60% in middle-income countries and below 40% in low-income countries.
The low survival rate in poor countries can be attributed to the fact that many of these countries don't have adequate infrastructure for cancer detection.They also lack adequate diagnosis and treatment facilities. In terms of risk, a familial history of breast cancer increases the chances of development by a factor of two or three. Some genetically predisposed mutations, specifically in BRCA1, BRCA2 and p53 are known to maximize the risk for breast cancer. However, these extreme variations are rare and do not account for a large majority of the breast cancer cases.
About Arimidex..
Arimidex is an all approved ‘adjuvant treatment method’ ( this is the treatment that is administered following surgery with or without radiation) of postmenopausal women with (hormone receptor-positive) early-stage breast cancer. The supplement has been approved for the initial treatment of postmenopausal women with:
- hormone receptor-positive cancer,
- hormone receptor-unknown cancer,
- locally advanced cancer
- metastatic breast cancer.
It is also effective in the treatment of postmenopausal women with advanced breast cancer that has progressed following treatment with tamoxifen.
However recent studies have shown that patients with hormone receptor-negative disease and patients who did not previously respond to tamoxifen therapy rarely responded to Arimidex. Thus, for such users it would be advisable to seek out alternative treatment routes.
Who is Arimidex meant for?
To make full use of Arimidex, the patient should be diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive (HR+) early breast cancer. It is also important to understand that Arimidex is not the only solution available for this issue in the market. It is highly advisable that an individual consult a specialist before starting regular dosage. Only the case doctor can decide if Arimidex is right for someone or not.
How does Arimidex work?
After a cancer has been sent into remission, the patient and doctor have to discuss options for medication to stop the recurrence of the cancer. There are many options including hormonal therapy, chemical pills, all of whom use different means of actions. Arimidex is a hormonal treatment method, it works by reducing the production of estrogen in our liver, fat deposits, muscle content, and breast cells by blocking the aromatase enzyme.
In postmenopausal women, an enzyme called aromatase changes androgens into the hormone estrogen. Thus it is found that some breast cancer tumors grow when estrogen is present in a specific region of our body. Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor that inhibits the production of aromatase, thereby lowering the amount of the potentially cancer-causing estrogen in the body.
Science Talk.
When talking about such potent drugs it is often advisable to cross check details with a published study. Thankfully, there are many scientific studies present for users to check out regarding the compositional profile of Arimidex. Some of the findings from these clinical trials have been presented below:
- In a study which included over 9300 postmenopausal women (each with early stages of breast cancer), it was found that over a period of 10 years after their initial cancer treatment, Arimidex helped these women transition better to a normal state of physical health when compared to only Tamoxifen being used for cancer recovery.
Some important information.
- Arimidex has been crafted especially for postmenopausal women. The drug should not be consumed if an individual is pregnant because it may cause unforeseen harm for their unborn child.
- Due to its extreme potency, if users are allergic to any of the compositional ingredients, then they should refrain from using the supplement.
- Users who suffer from cardiovascular issues like heart ailments or arterial blockages should not use Arimidex.
- Some clinical trials have pointed to the fact that Arimidex can cause bone softening/weakening (osteoporosis) which increases the chance of future fractures. In another clinical study, there were more fractures reported(including fractures of the spine, hip, and wrist) with the use of this supplement (10%) as when compared with tamoxifen (7%).
- In a clinical study conducted using individuals suffering from early-stage breast cancer, some individuals on regular Arimidex dosage were found to possess elevated cholesterol levels, experience unexpected skin reactions, allergic reactions, and changes in blood levels.
Arimidex Dosage Directions.
- Arimidex comes in small plastic bottles which contain 30 capsules each. Each tablet is 1mg and should be taken on a daily basis.
- Dosage is strictly according to what the case doctor sees fit.
- In-case a user forgets to take the capsule, he/she should take it immediately upon remembering
- 2 tablets should never be consumed in case users forget if they've had their daily dosage.
- Some easy ways of maintaining a routine is by keeping an alarm, asking family and friends for a regular reminder, using a scheduler.
Arimidex Pricing and Availability.
Arimidex is a highly specific drug, it can only safely be used by postmenopausal women who are suffering from early stages of breast cancer. To obtain the capsules one has to get a prescription from their doctor. To procure the tablets one can either go to a pharmacy or place an order online at the official website.
