Post-menopausal women aged between 40 and 70 are being invited to join an international study aimed at cancer prevention.

It is the first time that Malta, through the Oncology Department at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital, has been involved in a study on preventing cancer, rather than curing it.

The Oncology Department and the Malta Cancer Foundation have been involved in a number of multi-centre European cancer research trials over the years, but these have all been aimed at improving cancer treatment, said department chairman Stephen Brincat.

One in 12 women develop breast cancer and 20 per cent of women diagnosed with cancer in Malta die of breast cancer, he said.

The London-based study is investigating the possibility of preventing the development of breast cancer in post-menopausal women, who are considered to be at higher risk of developing breast cancer.

The study involves dozens of hospitals worldwide, 4,000 women with a recognised pre-cancerous condition, and 6,000 who are high risk but have not been diagnosed.

Prof. Brincat explained that the 6,000 post-menopausal women would be offered either the drug Arimidex, or a placebo for five years, the choice being randomly determined.

Arimidex was already used in the treatment of cancer, but was now being studied for use in prevention, he said.

Women interested in joining the study can contact the Oncology Department and, if eligible, would be enrolled on a purely voluntary basis after an explanation of what the programme involves, explained Prof. Brincat.

Bone densitometry studies would be carried out prior to joining the study, together with other routine blood tests.

The second trial to be launched is aimed at decreasing the risk of developing cancer in post-menopausal women with a pre-cancerous condition.

These women would be referred to the Oncology Department by their respective surgeons, Prof. Brincat said.

Women interested in joining the study, "an exciting first for Malta", can contact Sir Paul Boffa Hospital on tel. 2298 7163, or 2298 7185 before 1.30 p.m. and ask for Oncology Department secretary Frances Scerri.

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