Taking Measures to Prevent Breast Cancer

A team of researchers published their findings of a recent study, which began in March 2010, The Lancet. The group of 12 researchers studied the use of drug prevention strategies for breast cancer. Published their results in order to discuss the burden of cancer worldwide, but also new strategies for disease prevention. Although there are lifestyle factors that can prevent breast cancer, such as physical activity and moderate alcohol consumption, researchers on the role of drugs in the prevention of breast cancer.

The team recognizes that although the mutations have a role in the development of breast cancer, these abnormalities are rare in the general population. The researchers also said that measures to improve the risk assessment must be done to improve the therapy. One way to address more specifically the therapy is to identify the density of breast tissue of a patient. Studies have shown that the density is greater than 75% can lead to five times higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Drugs, the researchers examined more thoroughly tamoxifen, raloxifene, lasofoxifene, arzoxifene, and aromatase inhibitors. Tamoxifen was effective in terms of preventive measures, and recent studies have shown that estrogen receptor-positive invasive breast cancer decreased by 43%. Studies have shown that the drug is not effective in estrogen receptor negative tumors. Raloxifene has been shown to reduce the incidence of invasive breast cancer by 23%. One of the most effective drugs used lasofoxifene. Studies have shown that when taken at the highest daily dose lasofoxifene the risk of breast cancer in estrogen receptor-positive reduced by 81%. Arzoxifene showed promise in the prevention of estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, but there were negative side effects associated with the use of the drug. Aromatase inhibitors have proven effective as a preventive treatment, reducing the risk of estrogen receptor-positive tumors by 75%.

The researchers explained that "the traditional approach of licensing drug treatment is not appropriate for preventive therapies" and that "the approach to the regulation of drugs [quote] must change."