Arimidex now available for early breast cancer on PBS

Oncologists have welcomed the expanded availability of Arimidex (anastrozole) on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) from December 1, which will allow post-menopausal women with hormone-dependent early breast cancer access to this proven treatment.

The fear of their breast cancer returning after apparently successful treatment can be an ever-present worry for survivors of early breast cancer.[1]”No-one welcomes cancer into their life and after successful treatment the greatest anxiety these women have is that it will return,” said Professor Richard Bell, Director of Cancer Services, Andrew Love Cancer Centre, Melbourne.”The availability of Arimidex provides doctors and their patients with the opportunity to use a different treatment with improved effectiveness without some of the side effects associated with tamoxifen,” Professor Bell said.Following surgery, five years’ treatment with Arimidex reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence by an additional 26% over and above the 50% reduction in risk demonstrated by tamoxifen.[2]It is estimated that 5,700 Australian women each year will benefit from the increased availability of Arimidex.[3,4,5]For GPs with an interest in breast cancer, PriMeD has just launched an on-line GP education program with 3 category 2 QA&CPD points attached. This tutorial can be accessed at www.primed.com.au/azebc.References1. Clinical practice guidelines for the management of advanced breast cancer, National Breast Cancer Centre, Commonwealth of Australia 2001.2. Howell A, on behalf of the ATAC Trialists’ Group. The ATAC (‘Arimidex’, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination) trial in postmenopausal women with early breast cancer – updated efficacy results based on a median follow-up of 5 years. Abstract No. 1, San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2004.3. AIHW, Interactive cancer data, www.AIHW.gov.au, accessed 25/11/20054. Dept of Human Services, South Australian Cancer Registry, Epidemiology of Cancer in South Australia, Sept 20005. Hill D et al, Surgical Management of Breast Cancer in 1995, NHMRC National Breast Cancer Centre, 1999