In the journals: Some side effects of breast cancer treatment may be a good sign
In the journals
In a retrospective analysis of data on 3,964 women treated for early-stage breast cancer in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) trial, researchers from the University of London studied the recurrence rate of breast cancer in women who complained of joint pain or vasomotor symptoms (hot flashes, night sweats, and cold sweats) during treatment with either tamoxifen or anastrozole (Arimidex). Tamoxifen works by blocking estrogen at receptor sites on the tumor; anastrozole works by blocking the activity of aromatase, an enzyme important in the production of estrogen in fat and other tissues — the main sources of estrogen in postmenopausal women.
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