Risk-reducing medicines for women at high risk of breast cancer
Prevent some invasive breast cancers in women at increased risk.
What studies found
In placebo-controlled trials pooled by the U.S. Task Force (2019), five years of tamoxifen prevented about 7, raloxifene about 9 and aromatase inhibitors about 16 invasive breast cancers per 1,000 women. The Task Force recommends offering them to women 35 and older at increased risk and low risk of side effects, and advises against them for women not at increased risk. Tamoxifen is the only one of the three for women before menopause.
The catch
Tamoxifen and raloxifene are FDA-approved for this use; aromatase inhibitors are not.
What to do
If a risk assessment shows increased risk, ask your doctor whether a risk-reducing medicine suits you.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the breast cancer page.
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