Arimidex Comes on Top as a First Line Chemotherapy Drug for Breast Cancer - By: chani

The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, USA puts breast cancer as the most common form of cancer in women around the world. Breast cancer is second in fatalities only to skin cancer. Furthermore, the American Cancer Society estimates, in 2012, more than 226,000 new cases of breast cancer will be diagnosed. According to the ACS estimates, approximately 39,510 women will die of breast cancer this year. While the incidents of cancer are in the rise, there are also break through medications and treatment in teh form of chemotherapy that helps manage cancer effectively. Arimidex is a prescribed first-line chemotherapy drug for treating advanced breast cancer in postmenopausal women. This and other drugs for various illnesses can be purchased at Big Mountain Pharmacy with a valid RX for Canada drugs.

What is Chemotherapy?

Chemotherapy is the use of certain chemicals for treating a variety of illnesses, especially cancer. Chemotherapy prevents the spread of cancer by preventing the dividing and growing of cancer cells. This treatment method is more effective than other forms of local treatments of cancer, in curtailing the growth of the cancer. Local treatments such as radiation therapy and surgery concentrate only on one area of the body. For example, when a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer, doctors recommend radiation therapy. The high energy rays from radiation therapy targets the malignant tumour only and nowhere else in the body. Chemotherapy in contrast is a more systematic treatment method. The drug, when administered intravenously or taken orally, travels through the body and reaches cancer cells. Therefore, chemotherapy kills any cancers cells that may have spread from the original site. Chemotherapy also holds the benefits of being able to treat many forms of cancer. The chemical composition of the medication varies according to each drug, how the drug should be taken and the form of cancer targeted.

Chemotherapy Drugs

There are various forms of chemotherapy drugs that offer a range of options for physicians to treat a condition. These include alkylating agents, antimetabolites, anthracyclines, mitotic inhibitors and aromatase inhibitors. Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor which acts by preventing oestrogen production in post menopausal women. Aromatase inhibitors block the enzyme aromatase and turns androgen hormones into oestrogen in small quantities. Less oestrogen means less stimulation of oestrogen-receptor-positive breast cancer. Aromatase inhibitors are the best first-line form of chemotherapy for breast cancer. This is because aromatase inhibitors have fewer side effects and more benefits than other forms of chemotherapy medication. Furthermore, the recurrence of breast cancer reduces significantly when aromatase inhibitors follow tamoxifen, another combination medication used in breast cancer treatment.

Dosage and Precautions of Arimidex

This medication is available in 1 mg tablet form at Big Mountain Drugs an accredited Canadian online pharmacy. The administration of the drug depends on the manner it is prescribed. A doctor may recommend the dosage and the length of the dosage depending on the severity of the cancer, as well as, the type of cancer. However, the usual dosage of the drug is one tablet taken once a day. The medication should be taken at the same time every day. If a dosage is missed, taking one as soon as it is remembered is beneficial. However, if it is closer to the time of the next dosage, the missed dose should not be taken along with the next dose. Taking two tablets at the same time may be harmful to the patient and may increase side effects. Premenopausal women, pregnant women and women who plan to conceive should not take the medication. These considerations should be conveyed to a doctor before prescription of the drug. Furthermore, patients prescribed with the medication should not discontinue the medication without prior approval from the doctor.

Adverse Effects of the Medication

Anastrozole is the generic name for the medication. Anastrozole may cause adverse effects on certain people. These include abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, hot flashes, vomiting, dry mouth, sore throat and insomnia. Severe side effects of the medication include heart disease, chest pain, depression and allergic reactions. Severe side effects or common side effects that cause extreme discomfort require immediate medical attention.

Breast cancer is preventable if detected in the early stages. Therefore, all menopausal women should have their breasts examined for lumps on a regular basis. Medications such as Arimidex, help treat breast cancer.

About the Author

Author Chani M Thebuwana contributes articles related to drugs and illnesses courtesy of BigMountainDrugs.Com, a top rung Canadian Pharmacy. You can buy various Canada drugs to treat any ailment or diseases, via our online pharmacy, saving money and travel time to pharmacies. You can buy Arimidex and other drugs that are available at deeply discounted Canadian government regulated price

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