Comparing Arimidex with Other Hormonal Therapies for Breast Cancer

08/21/2025

 

Causes, Symptoms, and Types of Breast Cancer

The exact cause of the emergence of breast cancer is still obscure. After years of research, oncologists haven't reached a concrete conclusion that they can point to with certainty as a cause, but they have found factors that can escalate the risk of breast cancer. As discussed above, age is one of the crucial risk factors. Mostly women who were diagnosed with breast cancer were above the age of 50. Family history and genetics play a role in increasing the risk; if your family has a history of this condition, then it puts you at a higher risk of having it. Consumption of alcohol and smoking has also been linked to cancer of the breast.

Symptoms of breast cancer can vary and might not be noticeable in every case, which can make it very difficult to identify. Some may have just a slight lump in the breast, and some may face very distinct and unique symptoms. Commonly known symptoms of breast cancer include a lump or thick nod in the breast, changes in skin colour, swelling or redness near the breast, and you may start experiencing severe pain in the breast. There can also be abnormalities with the nipples of the breast, as they might discharge blood or white fluids.

Breast cancer has been divided into types and subtypes to make the treatment as effective as possible and keep the tumour from spreading. Majorly, there are three types of breast cancer.

• Invasive (infiltrating) ductal carcinoma (IDC): This is the most common type of cancer, and it starts from the milk ducts and spreads to the tissues surrounding the breast.

• Lobular breast cancer: In this case, the tumour starts from the milk-producing glands called lobular and may spread to the neighbouring tissues.

• Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS): Just like IDC, the cancer cells start multiplying in the milk duct, but it does not spread to the nearby tissues.

Subtypes of breast cancer

The subtypes of breast cancer are classified on the basis of the status of cell receptors. The treatment is based on whether these receptors are present or absent in the cell. These receptors start feeding on hormones like estrogen and progesterone, and then start spreading. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the type of receptor to treat the person effectively. You can buy Cheap Arimidex 1 mg tablets if you are diagnosed with ER-positive cancer and are looking for an economical medication. The subtypes of cancer are as follows:

• ER-positive (ER+): When cancer cells have estrogen receptors on their surface, they bind with estrogen present in the body to grow.

• PR-positive (PR+): When cancer cells have progesterone receptors, they bind with progesterone to multiply.

• HR-positive (HR+): When breast cancer cells have both receptors and feed on both hormones.

• HR-negative (HR-): When breast cancer cells do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors.

• HER2-positive (HER2+): This is identified when the cancer cells have a higher than usual rate of HER2 protein in them.

Hormonal Therapy and Arimidex

Hormone therapy is a treatment for cancer patients that works by slowing down the progression or reducing the access of hormones to cancer cells, which need hormones to grow. It works for cancers that are hormone sensitive and is used to limit the tumour from spreading. Oncologists may use hormone therapy:

• Prior to a surgery or radiation therapy to reduce the size of the tumour.

• After the treatment of cancer, to reduce the risk of it becoming a recurring cancer.

• To treat invasive cancer that spreads to other parts of the body.

Arimidex 1mg Tablets are a form of aromatase inhibitors used to treat all stages of hormone-receptor positive breast cancer. Arimidex tablets are prescribed to women who are diagnosed with estrogen receptor-positive or ER-positive cancer and who have been through menopause. It reduces the amount of estrogen produced in the body so that hormone-receptive cells have nothing to feed on and cannot grow/spread. Doctors may advise women to buy Generic Arimidex 1mg as a hormonal therapy, who are at an initial stage of breast cancer to prevent it from spreading

Types of Hormonal Therapies for Breast Cancer

Hormonal therapy works in two ways: either stops the use of the enzyme to block the production of estrogen in the body, or stops the reaction of estrogen on breast cancer cells by acting as a barrier between the tumour and the hormone required. There are three major types of hormonal therapy used to treat breast cancer, which include the following:

Aromatase inhibitors:

Aromatase inhibitors come under a class of drugs used in the treatment of HR positive breast cancer in women after they reach menopause. It works by stopping the enzymes from turning other hormones into estrogen, starving the receptive cancer cells, and minimizing its effects. These inhibitors cannot stop the ovaries from making estrogen, which is why they are advised to women who are post-menopausal because their ovaries do not produce the hormone anymore. You can easily buy Arimidex 1mg Online, which is a commonly used aromatase inhibitor for ER-positive breast cancer.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs):

This hormonal therapy blocks the access of estrogen required for the growth of receptive cancerous cells. As the name suggests, the reaction of medication under this therapy is selective. This means it reacts to the tissue based on its type. It can act as a barrier between cancer cells and estrogen, and it can also promote its use where it is required, such as in the bones or liver.

Selective estrogen receptor downregulators (SERDs):

This hormonal therapy is similar to SERM, but in addition, it targets the estrogen receptors and aims to degrade them or change their shape so that they won’t be able to signal a path with estrogen. This is used in a case where the cancer cells or receptors have become resistant to other therapies. SERDs overcome this resistance by deregulating the tumour and completely blocking the use of estrogen.

Conclusion

Hormonal therapy is a great way to treat hormone-receptive breast cancer, and it is highly effective. Not only does it stop the stimulation of hormones and cancer cells, but it also reduces the chances of recurrence of cancer by 40%. Which hormone therapy is best suited for you depends on factors like the kind of breast cancer, menopausal status, family history, and overall health. Despite knowing these factors, it is crucial to consult with a breast cancer specialist to find out the most effective therapy for you. Consistent adherence to prescribed medication is necessary for good results.

FAQs:-

Q1. What is Arimidex and how does it work in breast cancer treatment?

Arimidex is a medication used for the treatment of breast cancer in women who have ER-positive cancer and have gone through menopause (completed their reproductive years) . It acts as an inhibitor to cancer cells, cutting down their source to feed on by blocking the production of estrogen in the body.

Q2. How does Arimidex work compared to Tamoxifen and other hormonal therapies?

Arimidex and Tamoxifen are both medications of hormonal therapies to treat breast cancer, but they work differently. Arimidex limits the production of estrogen in the body, thereby reducing the supply of this hormone in the breast tissue. Whereas Tamoxifen binds itself to the receptors and acts as a wall between the cancer cells and prevents the tissue from attaching to estrogen, putting a hold on its growth.

Q3. What are the potential side effects of Arimidex?

Potential side effects of Arimidex consist of sore muscles or pain in joints, difficulty sleeping, severe headaches, loss of appetite, or not feeling like eating. Consumption of Arimidex may also lead to a spike in cholesterol levels of your blood, extreme tiredness or physical fatigue, nausea, and constipation.

Q4. Who is the ideal candidate for Arimidex treatment?

The ideal candidate for Arimidex is a woman who has reached the stage of menopause and is diagnosed with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Arimidex is an aromatase inhibitor that either limits the production or prevents hormones like estrogen from reaching the cancer cells. It is used by women who are in their post menopause phase, where hormonal levels of estrogen are low.

Q5. Can Arimidex be used in combination with other breast cancer treatments?

Arimidex can be used in combination with additional breast cancer treatments to gain better results. It can be combined with other hormone receptor modular medications or hormonal therapies like tamoxifen, palbociclib, and trastuzumab. It can be used in combination with other treatments to limit the tumour in an early stage or to increase the survival rate at a later stage.