In a recent article, the BBC reported a potentially game-changing development in cancer prevention: the drug olaparib may help prevent breast cancer recurrence in people with inherited BRCA mutations.
The article, “New hope for patients with breast cancer gene,” shared early findings that the drug olaparib – when given before surgery – significantly reduced the risk of cancer returning in women with early-stage breast cancer who carry BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene faults.
This research is focused on preventing recurrence, rather than preventing the initial development of cancer, but it could still be a significant milestone in the broader journey toward prevention. This is because it shows how targeted drugs like olaparib can effectively intervene in the cancer process at a genetic level, offering hope that, one day, similar approaches might be used before cancer develops at all.
At Prevent Breast Cancer, this is the kind of progress we watch closely. Our vision is a future where breast cancer can be stopped before it starts. For those at high genetic risk, like people with BRCA gene faults, this would mean alternatives to life-changing decisions such as risk-reducing surgery or lifelong screening.
For supporters like Claire Whittaker, this research hits close to home. In 2011, Claire found out she carried a BRCA2 mutation and made the difficult decision to undergo preventative surgery. She’s since remained cancer-free and is a passionate advocate for our work, most recently taking on the London Marathon to raise vital funds for our research.
Reacting to the article, Claire told us:
What a fantastic article and how exciting!! This is exactly what I was hoping for – new research and new ways of inhibiting this mutation in order to prevent cancers from occurring at all. Absolutely brilliant and I hope this pill will help to protect my daughter and all future generations.
Claire’s words reflect the hope many feel when research begins to tackle cancer at its genetic roots. While olaparib is currently being trialled to stop cancer from coming back, it opens the door to the possibility of targeted prevention in the future.
Lester Barr, Consultant Breast Surgeon, Co-Founder and Honorary President of Prevent Breast Cancer, commented:
This new drug, Olaparib, is known as a PARP inhibitor. It does look very effective in this clinical trial, and our hope is that further research with such drugs will provide protection for women carrying BRCA breast cancer genes.
PARP inhibitors stop cancer cells with BRCA faults from repairing themselves, making it harder for them to survive.
While it’s still early days, this trial represents progress in how we understand and disrupt the pathways that lead to breast cancer.
At Prevent Breast Cancer, we’ll keep funding pioneering research, supporting people at high risk, and advocating for prevention as the best way to get ahead of breast cancer. Support our ground-breaking research today by making a donation.
About Prevent Breast Cancer
Prevent Breast Cancer is the only UK charity entirely dedicated to the prediction and prevention of breast cancer – we’re committed to freeing the world from the disease altogether. Unlike many cancer charities, we’re focused on preventing, rather than curing. Promoting early diagnosis, screening and lifestyle changes, we believe we can stop the problem before it starts. And being situated at the only breast cancer prevention centre in the UK, we’re right at the front-line in the fight against the disease. Join us today and help us create a future free from breast cancer. If you have any questions or concerns, email us today.
