Anastrozole for women with breast cancer

Women with breast cancer usually only have anastrozole when they are post menopausal.

Less often, some women who have not been through the menopause may also have anastrozole. In this instance, they have it in combination with other treatments that stop the ovaries working.

Anastrozole for men with breast cancer

Anastrozole might sometimes be used to treat breast cancer in men. Breast cancer is very rare in men. So very little is known about the side effects of this drug in men. Doctors expect the effects to be similar to those listed on this page. But do talk to your cancer specialist who may have experience in treating other men with hormone therapy.

How does anastrozole work?

Oestrogen is known more as a female hormone, but men also have a small amount of oestrogen. Oestrogen stimulates some breast cancers to grow. These are called hormone sensitive or hormone receptor positive breast cancers.

Anastrozole lowers the level of oestrogen. It does this by blocking a substance in the body called aromatase. Anastrazole belongs to a type of hormone therapy called aromatase inhibitors. Lowering the level of oestrogen aims to prevent, stop or slow the growth of these cancers.

How do you have anastrozole?

You have anastrozole as tablets.

You should swallow your tablets whole with a drink of water. Try to take them at the same time each day. You can take them before, with, or after food.