Beta Blockers may stop spread of breast cancer

Scientists are about to conduct a major new study to see if commonly prescribed blood pressure medication can actually cut the risk of breast cancer spreading.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - Reviewing data from 800 patients doctors have found that those given beta blockers had half the chance of the cancer spreading as those women who did not take beta blockers. Because of this doctors in the United Kingdom plan to look at approximately 30,000 patients and will make a report next year.

If their research shows that the medication is effective in reducing the spread of breast cancer then further trials may be conducted in order to approve the drug for cancer treatment.

In 30% of all breast cancer cases, the cancer spreads and in 90% of those patients die.

Approximately one in eight women in the United States are expected to develop breast cancer over the course of their lifetime. Each year more than a quarter of a million new cases of breast cancer are reported. Less than 1% of those cases occur in men.

Of those new cases, approximately 40,000 per year die from breast cancer. Breast cancer mortality is higher for women than for any other cancer, except lung.

Approximately 75% of all breast cancer cases occur in women who have no family history of breast cancer.

Doctors are looking at beta blockers because early research shows that women using them had a 71% reduced risk of death.

Other studies have also identified the biological mechanism whereby beta blockers prevent cells from moving. This is important because cancer spreads through the body when mutated cells move from one place to another, and since beta blockers can prevent that movement they can stop the spread of breast cancer.

Dr. Des Powe, from Nottingham University Hospitals, is one of the lead researchers. Other scientists from across Europe are helping with the research.

Dr. Powe said,  "Cancer can be thought of as having two distinct phases - before and after the disease has spread. Many women will be successfully treated for their initial breast tumor but in some, the original tumor leaves a legacy - a daughter of the primary cancer. It is absolutely crucial to conquer cancer spread if we are to really improve breast cancer survival as this problem causes nearly all deaths from the disease."

Doctors are excited about the potential beta blockers have to prevent the spread of breast cancer especially since they are already tested and have been found safe for use.
Preliminary results from the study are expected to be announced next year.

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