Are you aware of the drug Exemestane? - Here's why it's important in breast cancer treatment

You may have a family member, a friend, or even yourself being treated for breast cancer . At times like these, doctors recommend various medications. Among them, one that many people often hear about, especially for breast cancer that occurs after menopause, is Exemestane. You may know it by the brand name Aromasin. Today, we will simply talk about this medication, what it does, how effective it is, and what to be careful about when using it.

How does exemestane reduce the growth of breast cancer cells?

Simply put, there are some types of breast cancer that are helped to grow by the hormone estrogen in our bodies. This is what we call 'hormone-receptor-positive' cancers. Think of cancer cells as a plant that feeds on the 'food' called estrogen.

Exemestane works by stopping the production of the estrogen hormone in our body. It's like stopping the food that the plant is fed. Then the cancer cells lose the nutrients they need to grow. In this way, this medicine helps a lot in preventing the cancer from coming back.

This has been proven by research. In a 3-year study, women who had invasive breast cancer after menopause were given exemestane, and their risk of cancer coming back was reduced by 65% ​​compared to women who did not receive it. Also, apart from the typical symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, no serious side effects were reported.

Can it be used together with other medications?

Yes, absolutely. Cancer treatment is not limited to just one drug. Sometimes it is necessary to target different pathways to kill cancer cells. That is why doctors plan treatment by combining several drugs.

Research has shown that the drug exemestane can be given in combination with other drugs such as ribociclib and everolimus (also known as 'triplet therapy'). This combination of drugs reduces the chances of cancer cells surviving and further reduces the risk of the cancer coming back. This treatment has also been found to be very safe.

In a recent study, a 48-year-old breast cancer patient was given a combination of two drugs, exemestane and everolimus, after chemotherapy . These two drugs worked together to kill cancer cells and prevent the cancer from coming back. When the patient was monitored for 5 years, no cancer growth was found in her body. This shows how successful this treatment is.

Things you need to know about Exemestane

Special considerations when taking this medicine

There are a few things you should definitely be aware of when using this medicine. These are very important.

• Follow your doctor's instructions exactly: It is very important to take this medicine exactly as your doctor recommends, in the right dose, and at the right time . Never change the dose or stop taking the medicine on your own. If you have any problems, talk to your doctor about it.

• Risks if you are pre-menopausal: This medicine is not usually given to women who are pre-menopausal because it can affect fertility. Your doctor will discuss this with you further.

• Do not use during pregnancy: Do not use this medicine if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. You should also avoid becoming pregnant while taking the medicine. Consult your doctor for advice on this.

• Be careful with other medications: Do not take other medications that contain estrogen (for example, hormone replacement therapy ) with Exemestane. These two medications work against each other, which can cause side effects. If you are taking any other medications, vitamins, or herbal remedies, tell your doctor about them.

Exemestane, Aromasin, breast cancer, breast cancer, cancer treatment, estrogen, hormone therapy