Khaberni - A new study has revealed the possibility of repurposing "morning-after pills" to prevent breast cancer in pre-menopausal women, particularly for those at risk of contracting or recurrence.
Researchers at the University of Manchester uncovered this finding after learning that blocking the effects of the hormone progesterone using "Ulipristal Acetate" pills, a drug used in the UK, could decrease the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women with a strong family history of the disease.
According to "Sory Life," progesterone can stimulate the development of breast cancer because it enhances the growth of a type of breast cells that could turn into breast cancer, in addition to facilitating the transformation of healthy cells into cancerous ones.
Blocking these effects of progesterone might represent a new method for preventing breast cancer before its onset, according to the new research.
Drug Use
"Ulipristal Acetate" pills are primarily used as an active ingredient in emergency contraceptive pills that work by delaying or preventing ovulation to avoid pregnancy.
These pills are currently also used to treat uterine fibroids, which are non-cancerous tumors that develop inside or around the uterus.
Preventing Aggressive Breast Cancer
The new study found that taking "Ulipristal Acetate" helped prevent the growth of breast cells that could turn into cancer. These cells are the starting point for triple-negative breast cancer, a more aggressive form of the disease, and are more common among younger women and black-skinned women.
The study involved 24 women previously diagnosed with breast cancer, who took these pills for 12 weeks, demonstrating how the pills provide crucial protection for breast tissues from the growth of new cancers.
