BREAST CANCER MEDS

Most systemic adjuvant therapy that works through the bloodstream to reach cancer cells throughout the body. Adjuvant therapy for breast cancer include chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy with the drug trastuzumab (Herceptin ®), radiotherapy or a combination of the above.

Research has shown that adjuvant chemotherapy helps in early breast cancer to prevent cancer returning. In general, more than one drug during adjuvant chemotherapy (so-called combination chemotherapy). For example, among other things:

- CMF (cyclophosphamide, methotrexate and 5-FU)

- FAC (5-FU, doxorubicin, cyclophosmide)

- TAC (docetaxel, doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide)

- GT (gemcitabine and paclitaxel)

- Etc..

Aims to suppress the production of the hormone estrogen, are necessary for the development of tumors.

a.Obat tamoxifen:

The function is to inhibit the activity of estrogen in the body. Tamoxifen can be administered to premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

b. Drugs aromatase inhibitor (AI)

The way it works is to prevent the body to estrogen. Can be used in postmenopausal women, or as a substitute for tamoxifen therapy following tamoxifen therapy. Not too effective for women before the menopause.

a. trastuzumab (Herceptin ®)

Targeted drug therapy is a monoclonal antibody that is administered by intravenous infusion. This therapy is on a growth pemelopor proteins such as HER2 will be known. It is estimated that approximately 20% of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer. HER2-positive breast cancer tends to grow and spread more aggressively. Need noted that in very rare cases, trastuzumab can cause heart problems. The risk of heart problems is higher when trastuzumab is given with certain chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin (adriamycin) and epirubicin (Ellence).

b. Lapatinib (Tykerb):

Targeted drug therapy is directed at the HER2 protein. Currently its use is only granted in cases of advanced breast cancer and is usually given concurrently with chemotherapy drug capecitabine (Xeloda).

c. Bevacizumab (Avastin ®)

Is a monoclonal antibody to be administered to the patients with breast cancer who had bermetastesis can. These antibodies against a protein that helps tumors form new blood vessels. Bevacizumab was administered by intravenous infusion. Often combined with chemotherapy drug paclitaxel (Taxol).

Radiotherapy is usually given for local operation and can be given after mastectomy. For women at high risk, doctors can use radiation therapy after mastectomy for breast cancer cells in tissue, such as chest wall or lymph nodes remain in the vicinity can kill.

- Breast Cancer Prevention

For those of you who think there are things that look different in the chest, they get checked out, the doctor does not come too late. For example, the next enlargement, the surrounding breast lump, pain, always on the nipple and so on, as the information signs and symptoms of the breast before.

Other actions you can do is to avoid obesity, eat less fat, try many foods with vitamin A and C, do not eat too much marinated and smoked, exercise regularly, and check-up breasts since the age of 30 years regularly.