Open AccessMedical Prevention of Breast Cancer
Author(s) -
Johannes Stubert,
Max Dieterich,
Bernd Gerber
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
breast care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.767
H-Index - 30
eISSN - 1661-3805
pISSN - 1661-3791
DOI - 10.1159/000369573
Subject(s) - medicine , raloxifene , tamoxifen , breast cancer , aromatase , compromise , gynecology , intensive care medicine , cancer , oncology , clinical practice , family medicine , social science , sociology
Breast cancer is the most common cancer of women in Western Europe and North America. Effective strategies of medical prevention could reduce the burden of breast cancer mortality. The best evidence for a risk reduction exists for hormonal agents such as tamoxifen and raloxifene (22-72%) or aromatase inhibitors (50-65%). However, the severity of side effects and the lack of evidence for an improved survival compromise the risk/benefit balance. In this review the results of chemoprevention studies, including new treatment approaches, are summarized with critical discussion of their use in clinical practice.