Hormonal or Anti-estrogen Therapy

If you are at high risk for breast cancer, you may want to consider taking protective medication. Medicine can reduce estrogen's ability to stimulate the growth of breast cells.

Tamoxifen has been shown to reduce the risk of first-time hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer in pre-menopausal women at high risk. Tamoxifen also reduces the risk of a hormone-receptor-positive cancer coming back in both pre- and post-menopausal women who have already been diagnosed.

Certain medicines may interfere with tamoxifen's protective effects. Visit the tamoxifen page to learn more.

For post-menopausal women at high risk, both tamoxifen and Evista (chemical name: raloxifene) have been shown to reduce the risk of first-time hormone-receptor-positive breast cancer.

Using tamoxifen and Evista to reduce the risk of breast cancer in women at high risk has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Clinical trials are looking at the use of aromatase inhibitors to reduce breast cancer risk in post-menopausal women at high risk with no personal history of the disease.

Together, you and your doctor can decide if medicine to lower your risk is appropriate for you and your unique situation.