It is well known that tamoxifen (Nolvadex, Tamofen) is effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer returning after surgery.

Research suggests this is due to the drug’s anti-oestrogen effect, since oestrogen (a female hormone) seems to have a role in the development of the disease.

Recently an alternative to tamoxifen, toremifine (Fareston), has been launched.

In patients with breast cancer that has spread, the available results from clinical studies suggest that toremifine is very similar to tamoxifen in its effectiveness, and in its side effects.

So does it offer any advantages over tamoxifen?

Toremifine differs from tamoxifen in that its chemical makeup includes a chlorine atom instead of a hydrogen atom. It is thought that this may result in fewer long-term side effects than with tamoxifen.

Whether this is the case in practice will not be known for some time. But if true, this will be particularly relevant for women who have a low risk of breast cancer coming back, and for whom the risk of long term side effects – however small – is unacceptable.

Laboratory studies are being carried out to try to determine whether toremifine causes any side-effects. So far, results look encouraging.

In the long term, if toremifine is as safe as is anticipated, it may have a role as a protective against breast cancer in women who are well but have a high risk of developing the disease.