Bone Drugs Could Help Prevent Cancer

Doctors say Bone Drugs Could Prevent Breast Cancer

Bone-building drugs such as Fosamax and Actonel may help prevent breast cancer, a new study has suggested.

Research at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio revealed that women who were already using the medicines were about one-third less likely to develop invasive breast cancer over the next seven years.

Doctors said the study did not provide enough evidence to prove that the drugs, known as bisphosphonates, actually prevent cancer but said the results raise an "exciting possibility".

A more definitive response is expected after further research is conducted over the next two years.

It was reported last year that the drugs reduced the chances of cancer coming back in women already treated for the disease.

Doctor Peter Ravdin, who reviewed the research for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS), said: "Now we're actually looking at this in the general population - healthy women who have never had breast cancer. And it looks like it's protective in those women as well."