An existing drug used to treat osteoporosis and other conditions affecting the bones appears able to prevent breast cancer in certain high-risk women.
If the drug’s new promise pans out, women carrying the BRCA1 gene mutation made famous by Angelina Jolie will have a better option than undergoing preventive double mastectomy—or doing nothing.
The drug is denosumab. The research behind the finding was carried out at the Walter+Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research in Australia, which publicized it June 21:
Dave P. has worked in journalism, marketing and public relations for more than 30 years, frequently concentrating on hospitals, healthcare technology and Catholic communications. He has also specialized in fundraising communications, ghostwriting for CEOs of local, national and global charities, nonprofits and foundations.