Cancer patients 'not taking drug'

Tamoxifen has proved to be an effective treatment

Many breast cancer patients are risking their lives by failing to take the tamoxifen they are prescribed, University of Dundee research suggests.

The British Journal of Cancer study found 50% of women failed to finish the five year course of the drug needed to maximise their survival chances.

The analysis of more than 2,000 women's prescription records also found one in five regularly forgot to take a tablet.

Women who miss one tablet every five days have a 10% greater risk of dying.

This study paints a worrying picture Professor Alastair Thompson University of Dundee

The study found that after one year 10% of women had stopped taking tamoxifen, after two years the figure was 19%, and after three and a half years 32% of the women had stopped.

The study also showed younger women were more likely to stop taking the medication early, but there was no difference in the rich or poorer groups of women.

Lead researcher Professor Alastair Thompson said: "This study paints a worrying picture.

"Tamoxifen is prescribed for five years to offer the best chance of surviving breast cancer, and not taking the tablets means that many women could be disadvantaged.

"Doctors and nurses should encourage patients to keep taking their prescribed medications, ensure side effects are managed as best as possible and thus get the maximum benefit from the medication."

Best chance

Dr Lesley Walker, of the charity Cancer Research UK, said: "We know that tamoxifen saves lives, so these results are a real concern.

"It's not disastrous if women simply forget to take the occasional tablet but if they forget regularly and don't complete their treatment we need to know why.

"We need to make it clear that taking tamoxifen regularly for the full five years gives women the best chance of surviving breast cancer.

"If women are experiencing problems in taking any medication then we urge them to consult their doctor."

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK with more than 45,500 women diagnosed each year. Worldwide more than a million women are diagnosed each year.

Breast cancer survival rates have been improving for more than 20 years, and the NHS breast screening programme saves about 1,400 lives each year.

In the 1970s about five out of 10 breast cancer patients survived beyond five years. Now it is eight out of 10.