Breast cancer is commonly affecting cancer in women, and it is more common in postmenopausal women who have passed over 50 years of age. Even Though there are various advanced treatments involved in treating breast cancer, the aromatase inhibitor plays a vital role in treating breast cancer patients who have gone through the menopause stage. In this, we are going to discuss the efficacy of aromatase inhibitors in treating menopausal breast cancer patients.

Know About Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is an abnormal cell division of the cells present in breasts. The cells grow rapidly out of control when compared to the healthy cells, leading to the formation of a lump or a tumor. The gene mutation is the chief factor that induces this accelerated cell division of breast cells. It can affect one or both breasts. The mutation can affect any cells present in the breasts, and breast cancer can be classified based on the origin and location of the cancer.

The Menopausal Link: Delving into the Prevalence of Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is prevalent in postmenopausal women due to hormonal changes and the deposition of aromatase enzyme, which is formed from the adipose tissue. This aromatase promotes the production of estrogen in women who have gone through the menopause stage. The overproduction of estrogen has played a major role in breast cancer growth in menopausal women.

Symptoms of breast cancer

• You may experience the formation of lumps in the armpits.
• Individuals may have a dimpling in the breasts.
• You may have an abnormal discharge from the nipple.
• Individuals may have an inflammation or redness around the nipple.
• You may experience pain in the breast.
• Individuals may have a skin Peel around the nipple.
• You may experience changes in the appearance, shape, and size of the nipple.

Role of aromatase inhibitor in postmenopausal breast cancer women

Aromatase inhibitors can help lower the amount of estrogen that the body produces. It achieves this by inhibiting the aromatase enzyme that is naturally present in your body. It can stop or reduce the growth of different breast cancer cells, which depends on estrogen production. It is exclusively given to breast cancer patients who have gone through menopause. This medication helps to delay the recurrence of early-stage breast cancer. Altraz 1mg tablet and Anabrez 1mg tablet are anticancer medicines with an active ingredient known as anastrozole, that are effective in treating breast cancer in postmenopausal women. 

Side Effects Of Aromatase Inhibitors

Some of the possible side effects which the aromatase inhibitors can cause are given below:

• Hot flushes: Individuals may experience a sudden feeling of warmth over the face, neck, and chest.
• Joint stiffness: You may experience stiffness in the joint.
• Osteoporosis: Individuals may experience bone loss (osteoporosis) during the treatment.
• Nausea: You may experience a vomiting sensation or nausea during the medication.
• Loss of appetite: You may have a loss of appetite, which can lead to weight loss.
• Fever: You may have a rise in body temperature.
• Itching: You may experience an itching sensation during the medication.
• Inflammation of the joints (arthritis): Individuals may have an inflammation of joints (arthritis).
• Bleeding from the vagina: You may experience a vaginal bleeding even after the menopause.

Inform your doctor immediately if you have hypersensitive skin rash, swelling of small blood vessels, difficulty breathing and swallowing, or severe skin rash with blisters or ulcers, called Stevens-Johnson syndrome.

Conclusion

An aromatase inhibitor is an effective medication in treating postmenopausal breast cancer women. It provides a personalized breast cancer treatment for women who have gone through menopause. Further research and development will improve the safety and efficacy of the medication and also reduce the side effects that were caused during breast cancer treatment.