Preventive Strategies Under Research
  • The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial is studying the use of tamoxifen, a drug used in the treatment of breast cancer, to prevent cancer in healthy women at increased risk for developing breast cancer either because of their age (60 or older) or because they fall into other high-risk categories.


    • The National Cancer Institute further defines the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial as well as other important national trials.
     

  • At present, one of the most promising therapies for women at especially high risk of developing breast cancer, either because of family history, genetic predisposition, or personal history are the two drugs -- Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, a drug that is used to treat osteoporosis and has shown benefits in some tests for reducing the risk of breast cancer. A study is currently underway by The National Cancer Institute (NCI) to compare the benefits and risks of the two drugs in a five-year study called the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) trial.


    • Lewis J. Kleinsmith PhD presents "Understanding Estrogen Receptors, Tamoxifen and Raloxifene" for the NCI's "Science Behind the News."

    Learn more about the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) from the National Cancer Institute.
     

  • Other studies are focusing on the diet itself. The Women's Health Initiative, a National Institutes of Health study of 70,000 women over 50, includes a clinical study addressing the effectiveness of low-fat diet (less than 20 percent of the calories consumed are fat) and calcium plus vitamin D Supplements, along with hormone replacement therapy in preventing coronary heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis.


    • The American Dietetic Association  provides an oveview of what is currently known about the relationship between diet and breast cancer.
     

  • Another much more extreme alternative that some women consider is prophylactic mastectomy, or the surgical removal of the breasts. This option is sometimes choosen by women that are at an exteremly high risk of developing breast cancer. It is important to note that this procedure is a major surgery with risks of complications. Also even with a total mastectomy, some breast tissue may remain, so there is no guarantee that you will not develop breast cancer in this tissue. Anyone considering this option should dicuss the plan with a physician and weigh other options for several months before taking action. Genetic counseling may also offer you important insight.


    • The National Cancer Institute provides information on Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer Risk: It's Your Choice.