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Half of women with breast cancer fuelled by the hormone oestrogen are likely to see their life expectancy double when capivasertib is combined with hormone therapy, research has shown.

He also said there were a wide range of medical uses for hormones, such as testosterone and oestrogen, which made decisions on whether to restrict or ban their use in different situations complex.

Although there is no cure for endometriosis, current treatments include pain relievers and hormone injections which temporarily shut down the body's production of oestrogen - the hormone which causes endometriosis tissue to grow and cause pain.

The drug is suitable for those with certain gene mutations that affect up to half of people with hormone receptor positive secondary breast cancer - the most common type, which grows in the presence of oestrogen.

Hormone levels change during the menopause - most significantly oestrogen, which controls the menstrual cycle and contributes to a number of other bodily processes.