This week we speak with Dr. Donald S. Gravenor about Breast Cancer.

Question: Are there any pills that can prevent breast cancer?

Answer: Breast cancer prevention is best directed against women who are at increased risk of developing cancer. Genetic forms of breast cancer predisposition are largely managed surgically as well as medically. When postmenopausal women who take estrogens stop, their risk of cancer declines quite rapidly.

The P-01 study of tamoxifen (an oral anti-estrogen pill) for 5 years found that women with a Gail-model risk of 1.66-fold or higher than the general population of developing breast cancer resulted in a 49% reduction in the development of invasive breast cancer and an even higher reduction in the development of precancerous lesions. There was a slight increase in the risk of blood clots and uterus cancer, but there was no increase or reduction in deaths from any cause. Patients who were at significantly higher risk benefited more. The drug raloxifen proved to be equally effective to tamoxifen in the STAR trial. The Royal Marsden and the Italian studies of tamoxifen did not show this benefit, but were not as well designed as trials.

These anti-estrogen drugs are probably worthwhile in the patient at higher risk of breast cancer, and should probably only be prescribed by a breast cancer specialist who can accurately determine one’s risk of this disease.*

Dr. Donald S. Gravenor - Dr. Gravenor joined the Family Cancer Center in 2000 as Physician and Principal Investigator. He brings to the group a strong background in medical research. He has served as the principal investigator in over 20 Phase 3 clinical trials.  He is also an active member of the American Society of Clinical Oncology and is on two national committees. He is Board Certified in Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, and Hematology. Learn more at www.familycancercenter.com.

**This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice.