Hormonal therapy and breast cancer.
Most breast cancer cells may need the hormone estrogen to grow. That's why they may be called estrogen-dependent or estrogen-receptor positive (ER+) cancers.
Both tamoxifen and AROMASIN® (exemestane tablets) are hormonal therapies, meaning they interfere with the normal function of estrogen. But there is a difference in how they work.
Tamoxifen blocks estrogen from attaching itself to breast cancer cells. AROMASIN helps stop the production of estrogen in postmenopausal women. AROMASIN can lower the amount of estrogen in postmenopausal women by 98%. Less estrogen may mean less risk of estrogen-dependent tumor growth. It is important to note that no significant survival benefit was seen over tamoxifen therapy.
See how AROMASIN and tamoxifen work.
AROMASIN is not an HRT
If you are past menopause, you may also have heard about hormone replacement therapy (HRT). It helps women with the symptoms of menopause by increasing the amount of estrogen in their bodies. AROMASIN is not an HRT. It is a hormonal therapy that decreases the production of estrogen. These two therapies are very different. Let your doctor know about any medications or supplements you are taking.
AROMASIN® (exemestane tablets) is a prescription medicine for the adjuvant treatment of postmenopausal women with estrogen-receptor positive early breast cancer. Treatment with AROMASIN should begin after 2 to 3 years of tamoxifen, at which time tamoxifen should be discontinued. Treatment with AROMASIN should continue for 2 to 3 years (until the completion of a total of 5 years of adjuvant treatment with tamoxifen and AROMASIN).
AOU00471
