title: Chemoprevention of breast cancer.
abstract: We critically examined the literature regarding tamoxifen and raloxifene for breast cancer chemoprevention, a controversial topic of interest to all providers of health care services for women. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project showed that tamoxifen decreased the incidence of breast cancer in women at increased risk. Two European studies did not confirm this benefit. Although well-tolerated, tamoxifen chemoprevention continues to be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Raloxifene is a promising agent that has not been established to reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women at increased risk and currently should not be considered an alternative to tamoxifen outside of clinical trials. Tamoxifen results in a decreased risk of causing breast cancer in women at increased risk for having the disease. Women at increased risk are encouraged to participate in the ongoing clinical trial comparing tamoxifen and raloxifene for breast cancer prevention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta 30912, USA.
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kallab
mesh_terms: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018890:Chemoprevention / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D000075202:Contraindications; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D013629:Tamoxifen; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride