Physicians discuss use of new guidelines on aromatase inhibitor to prevent breast cancer

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is now recommending that physicians discuss use of the aromatase inhibitor exemestane (Aromasin) to prevent breast cancer in at-risk postmenopausal women.

Two breast cancer experts at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center are available to comment on the new guideline:

Angela H. Brodie, Ph.D., is an internationally recognized breast cancer researcher who pioneered the development of aromatase inhibitors.

John A. Olson, Jr., M.D., Ph.D., head of general and oncologic surgery, has published research showing that preoperative therapy with aromatase inhibitors improved surgical outcomes for postmenopausal women with ER-positive breast cancer.

The new guideline is based on "encouraging data" from a clinical study that showed that exemestane reduced the risk of overall and ER-positive invasive breast cancer by up to 70 percent compared to placebo.

Drs. Brodie and Olson can explain the reasons for the guideline change and discuss other recommendations for breast cancer prevention made by an ASCO panel July 8.