Additional research and material provided by Professor Martin Widschwendter, Director, The Daffodil Centre, a partnership between Cancer Council NSW and the University of Sydney.
For years, mifepristone and similar drugs have been used to treat uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Now researchers are exploring whether these drugs could have other uses in women’s health, including preventing some cancers. However, the politics and restrictions surrounding these drugs could affect the research. Special correspondent Sarah Varney reports for the series, Beyond Abortion.
For years, mifepristone and similar drugs that can induce abortion have been used to treat common, but often debilitating conditions, including uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Now researchers around the world are exploring whether these drugs could have other uses in women's health, including preventing some cancers.
In the second part of the series Beyond Abortion, special correspondent Sarah Varney traveled to the U.K. to examine that potential and how the politics and restrictions surrounding these drugs in the U.S. could affect the research.
On a gray summer day in a small village outside of Manchester, England, Varney met with Pamela Cachart, a medical trial participant whose family has a history of breast cancer. Cachart's mother, Dee, died from breast cancer at 43, and her grandmother also succumbed to the disease at a similar age. Cachart expressed a sense of fatalism regarding her own risk of developing breast cancer due to her family history.
Cachart joined a study aimed at preventing breast cancer in individuals with a family history before they reach menopause. The trial, led by Dr. Sacha Howell, an oncologist and breast cancer researcher at the University of Manchester, involved 24 women who took a drug called ulipristal acetate (UPA) for three months. UPA is approved in the U.S. as an emergency contraceptive and has been shown to terminate early pregnancies at higher doses. The drug blocks the effects of progesterone, a hormone that promotes breast cell growth and division.
Dr. Howell noted that increased cell division raises the likelihood of developing breast cancer. The study aimed to determine if UPA could inhibit the growth of breast cells that may lead to cancer. Early results indicated a reduction in the number and activity of cells associated with aggressive breast cancers, such as triple-negative breast cancer. Additionally, the breast tissue's architecture changed, which is significant since dense tissue can increase cancer risk.
However, replicating such trials in the U.S. may be challenging due to political opposition. Wendy Wright from Concerned Women for America emphasized the need for awareness regarding UPA's association with abortion and potential risks to women. Anti-abortion activists have criticized UPA since its approval as an emergency contraceptive in 2010, especially after a study suggested its potential use for medication abortion.
Dr. Laura Esserman, a breast cancer surgeon at the University of California, San Francisco, expressed concern that political pressures could hinder research and innovation in this area. She highlighted the importance of advancing research to provide more options for patients in the future.
Esserman mentioned that mifepristone has shown promise in preventing breast cancer, particularly for those with the BRCA gene mutation, which increases cancer risk. She called for political leaders to support scientific advancement rather than obstruct it, emphasizing that no one will invest in making these medicines available without regulatory approval.
Dr. Howell noted that European researchers will continue their work with government support, despite the political challenges in the U.S. He remarked on the intertwined nature of politics and science, cautioning against political interference in scientific research.
Cachart reflected on her experience in the study, expressing hope for the future of medicine and the potential benefits for future generations. She emphasized the importance of continuing trials to improve outcomes for individuals at risk of breast cancer.
For PBS News Hour, Sarah Varney reported from Cheshire, England.