New breast cancer pill 'cuts relapse risk'

A new breast cancer pill that is said to slash the risk of relapse by almost a third was launched in the UK today.

Aromasin is the latest in a new generation of drugs that fight breast cancer by blocking production of oestrogen in post-menopausal women.

It is licensed for women who have already undergone treatment with the standard drug tamoxifen for two to three years after surgery.

Trials have shown that switching to Aromasin instead of continuing with tamoxifen for five years cuts the chances of cancer returning by an extra 30%.

The chances of breast cancer appearing in another breast is reduced by half.

From today, doctors throughout the UK can prescribe Aromasin to their patients.

But, like its predecessor Arimidex, the drug is yet to be approved by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) which vets and recommends new treatments in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Read more: New breast cancer pill 'cuts relapse risk'