Deepen Your Knowledge on Aromasin Hormonal Therapy for Breast Cancer
Aromasin with the active ingredient Exemestane is a steroidal aromatase inhibitor that minimizes the risk of breast cancer recurrence and maximizes the chance of getting survived. Breast cancer and breast tumors need a rising estrogen hormone level in the body to advance further. Aromatase located in fatty tissues such as the breasts is an enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into estrogen. Aromasin (Exemestane) inhibits the action of Aromatase to lower estrogen levels in postmenopausal women who have just attempted chemotherapy, surgery, or radiation for breast cancer.
Women need to fulfill three conditions before they can undertake the hormonal therapy of Aromasin. First of all, they have had estrogen-receptor positive early stage breast cancer. Second, they have experienced menopause, the time in a woman's life in which the menstrual cycle ends. Lastly, they have taken tamoxifen which is an anti-estrogen drug for 2 to 3 years. In certain cases, tamoxifen as an estrogen suppressor has been found inadequate in freezing the disease’s spread. So, Aromasin (Exemestane) is prescribed to those postmenopausal women who have advanced breast cancer and whose disease has progressed even after tamoxifen therapy.
Estrogen is the culprit that nurtures breast tumors. Aromasin is the prescription drug that stops the production of estrogen, thereby decreasing its levels in the blood. In premenopausal females, estrogen is released by the ovaries. However, it is no longer generated by ovaries in postmenopausal women whose ovaries are unable to turn it out. In that case, estrogen is produced by the enzyme aromatase, present in the breast and fat tissues. Aromasin (Exemestane) inhibits the activity of aromatase and slows down the progression of breast cancer cells in the body that have very slim chance of growing without estrogen.
As far as side effects of Aromasin are concerned, you may experience both common and serious side effects. Serious side effects happen in rare cases. Most common side effects of Exemestane are well-tolerated by patients and include headache, weakness, wakefulness, excess sweating, and joint pain. Adverse effects like osteoporosis, chest pain, nausea, and heart problems are experienced by less than 5 percent of patients. Nevertheless, if you compare the benefits obtained from Aromasin therapy with these negative effects, you’ll find these effects quite minimal. As a matter of fact, Aromasin (Exemestane) hinders the growth of cancer cells and lessens the risk of breast cancer return enabling its users to become more tolerable to the drug.
Taking Aromasin (Exemestane) may have an adverse effect on your thinking or reactions. So, be highly vigilant while you drive or perform any activities that call for high degree of mental preparedness. You needn’t follow any restrictions on food, beverages or activities when undergoing Aromasin treatment, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Aromasin pills are contraindicated in patients who have known allergic reactions to the drug or any of the excipients. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not use this medication. You should not use Aromasin along with a drug that contains estrogen.