Ways of preventing breast cancer in high risk women

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

One woman in five would consider breast removal if they were thought to be at high risk of breast cancer.
Some women have a very strong family history of breast cancer and a few have dealt with this by having their breasts removed. However, there is now a less drastic way of beating breast cancer risk. A trial is underway of the estrogen-blocking drug anastrozole in a group of post-menopausal high risk women.

Researchers for the leading charity Cancer Research UK have carried out an international survey to discover women's attitudes towards preventive breast cancer treatment. Around 45 per cent said they would be willing to take a daily pill to help prevent the disease if they proved to be at risk. One in five said they would consider having their breasts removed (one in three in Britain).

Cancer Research UK is still looking for women to enrol in the anastrozole trial. The drug has already been shown to prevent cancer occurring in the other breast once it has occurred in one breast. But this is the first time it has been tested as a purely preventive measure in women at high risk of breast cancer. It is certainly a less drastic option than breast removal.

Source
Cancer Research UK 13th June 2005

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