About 3,500 women a year are diagnosed with breast cancer

About 3,500 women in Scotland are diagnosed with breast cancer each year.

The makers of Arimidex claim it is 26% more effective in preventing a recurrence in older women who have had a mastectomy than current medications.

The drug, which is yet to be approved for use in England and Wales, has been welcomed by Breast Cancer Care Scotland.

The announcement is a defining moment in the treatment of breast cancer and it's exciting that Scotland has taken the lead Dr Chris Wilson Western Infirmary

The Scottish Medicines Consortium, which provides advice to NHS bodies about new medications, said the drug met the criteria for use.

Lorraine Dallas, national co-ordinator of BCCS said: "This is great news for women in Scotland.

"The SMC announcement means that all post-menopausal women with early breast cancer will now have equal access to Arimidex after surgery - significantly reducing the chances of postcode prescribing across Scotland."

Leading breast cancer surgeon Dr Chris Wilson, of Glasgow's Western Infirmary, said: "The announcement is a defining moment in the treatment of breast cancer and it's exciting that Scotland has taken the lead.

"Now women with this particular type of breast cancer will be among the first in the UK to benefit from access to this more effective drug immediately after their surgery."