The progression of breast cancer among women is often associated with production of certain hormones, namely estrogen. This is why estrogen inhibitors such as tamoxifen is recommended for women who have been diagnosed with early breast cancer. Postmenopausal women may also suffer from breast cancer, because estrogen is still produced by their bodies even if their ovaries no longer do. For this reason, Arimidex (generic name: Anastrozole) is especially recommended for postmenopausal women.

How does Arimidex work in suppressing estrogen for postmenopausal women? First one must understand the function of the enzyme called aromatase. Aromatase is found in the liver, muscle, and fat. It is also found in breast cancer cells. Now the ovaries of a postmenopausal woman can no longer generate estrogen, but the adrenal glands still produce androgens (male hormones), which aromatase proceed to convert into estrogen. But Arimidex blocks the aromatase from performing this process, which results in less estrogen. Arimidex may be identified as an estrogen inhibitor, but it is an aromatase inhibitor first of all.

Medication is the first line of defense for women with early breast cancer. Having "early breast cancer" means the tumors are localized, or they have not spread beyond the area of the breast, and most of the tumors may be surgically removed. The tumors are not yet metastatic, which means there is no immediate danger of them becoming malignant. An estimated 70% of all women who have breast cancer are estrogen receptor positive - this means the tumors are aggravated by the presence of estrogen.

Arimidex may also be used for other purposes besides breast cancer treatment, although some uses may not be medically approved. Men may suffer from a hormone imbalance that may be remedied by this drug - the sex hormone estradiol being the most common culprit. Estradiol is also known as a steroid, and as such some body builders and athletes use them in their training. To prevent this steroid from running rampant in the body, they would also use Arimidex in their steroid cycle in order to temper its effects.

Men who do not undergo steroid training may also suffer from other forms of hormone imbalance, or other conditions that may legally require the use of Arimidex. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH - better-known as enlargement of the prostate, which is a common condition among men of middle and advanced age), gynaecomastia (development of abnormally large breasts - the cause of which is not always known) and hypogonadism (a deficiency in the production of sex hormones, which prevents normal growth) are among such conditions. Being a hormone inhibiter, Arimidex may also be used to slow growth in children.

After surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy, a regular dosage of Arimidex is considered vital adjuvant therapy for postmenopausal women. This means it acts as a preventive measure which keeps the cancer cells in check. With proper diet, enough exercise, a healthy lifestyle, and above all a positive outlook, medicines like Arimidex which are used for adjuvant therapy become more effective as aides in the fight against breast cancer.