Hunter women with a higher risk of breast cancer diagnosis have been the focus of a major study aiming to decrease incidence of the illness.
More than 150 Hunter women have taken part in the global study to identify a treatment which may halve the risk for post-menopausal women prone to the disease.
Anastrozole, a drug currently used in cancer treatment, could potentially halve the risk for women prone to the disease.
Over five years, researchers found 40 women in the Anastrozole group developed breast cancer, while 85 in the placebo group were diagnosed.
Results showed the drug was more effective than existing therapies, and produced fewer side-effects.
