More women undergoing chemotherapy have been given a better chance of having a baby post-treatment, with the federal government expanding the listing of an effective fertility preservation medication on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme.
Goserelin, sold under the brand name Zoladex, is currently listed on the PBS for hormone receptor positive breast cancer.
However, young women with hormone receptor negative breast cancer who wish to access goserelin have previously had to pay approximately $330 per month.
They now have access to this treatment at a cost of $38 per month or $6.39 per month for concession card holders.
The expanded listing on the PBS will not only benefit breast cancer patients but women undergoing alkylating chemotherapy for a range of diseases, such as sarcoma, lupus and rheumatological diseases.
One of the side effects of chemotherapy is infertility because of damage to a woman's eggs.
An Australian-led trial of more than 250 women worldwide conducted by Breast Cancer Trials showed pre-menopausal women who received monthly injections of goserelin were more likely to become pregnant after their breast cancer treatment.
Professor Kelly Phillips - Study Chair of the POEMS clinical trial - says Friday's announcement has the potential to be life-changing.
"Many young women who receive chemotherapy as part of their cancer treatment want to go on to have families, so making this treatment more affordable is a great outcome," said Professor Phillips.
One of the study participants to benefit from the use Goserelin was Natasha Eaton, one of many women able to conceive and birth a healthy child after her breast cancer treatments.
"It's very satisfying for researchers and clinicians to see the results of past breast cancer clinical trials research being successfully put into practice," said Prof Phillips.
Professor Phillips says the drug has also shown to be effective in protecting women from the adverse long-term health consequences of chemotherapy-induced menopause, which include increased risk of osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and memory problems.
