BY HEIDI
ULRICHSEN
Researchers at the Northeastern Ontario Regional Cancer Centre
(NEORCC) are looking for post-menopausal women at risk of
developing breast cancer to participate in a trial studying a
new drug that may prevent the disease.
Exemestane blocks the formation of estrogen, a hormone that has
been known to increase the chance of developing breast cancer.
The five-year ExCel study was launched in Greater Sudbury by
researcher Dr. Amanda Hey at the beginning of June.
Researchers are looking for about 4,500 women from Canada,
the United States and Spain to participate. So far, about 1,000
women have signed up. Participants must be 35 years of age or
older, post-menopausal (have stopped their periods) and be at
risk of developing breast cancer.
Study co-ordinator Suzanne Cecchetto will conduct a risk assessment over the phone for women who want to know if they qualify for the study.
Risk factors for breast cancer include age, family history,
number of breast biopsies, the age of first menstrual period
and the age at the time of the woman's first child's birth.
Women who were older when they received their first period
and gave birth to their first child are at greater risk for
breast cancer. Women who have had cancer (except non-melanoma
skin cancer) within the past five years and those on hormone
replacement therapy cannot participate.
If accepted, participants would be required to meet with Hey
and Cecchetto every six months for the first year, and once a
year after that. They would have to get one mammogram a year,
and would also have to undergo one bone density test at the
beginning of the trial.
The drug trial is random, meaning the pills participants take
could either be Exemestane or a placebo.
Risk factors will be reviewed with participants before the
study begins.
"The benefit that they're hopeful for is that it will
prevent cancer from occurring," says Cecchetto, a nurse who has
been working on breast and colorectal cancer studies for the
past 14 years.
Cecchetto has already received about 30 calls from women
interested in participating as they hear about the study in the
media and through their family doctors.
For more information about the study, phone Cecchetto at 522-6237, ext. 2406, or visit www.excelstudy.com
