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Postmenopausal women should be screened for breast cancer by risk factor
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Screening for breast cancer is necessary for postmenopausal women and should be done by risk factors and breast density with a consideration for chemoprevention in women at high risk.
Researchers conducted a prospective study to investigate breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Risk assessment models based on demographics and medical history had moderate discriminatory ability for estimating breast cancer risk; accuracy was improved when breast density information was included. The RR for breast density and breast cancer was 4.03 (95% CI, 3.10-5.26).
When the highest and lowest quintiles of estradiol were compared, estradiol was associated with breast cancer (RR=2.0-2.9), according to the study.
“Most [study findings demonstrated] that exercise, weight reduction, low-fat diet and reduced alcohol intake were associated with a decreased risk for breast cancer,” the researchers wrote.
The risk for estrogen receptor–positive invasive breast cancer and invasive breast cancer overall decreased with tamoxifen and raloxifene (Evista, Lilly).
“Several lifestyle changes with the potential to prevent breast cancer should be recommended regardless of risk,” they suggested.
Cummings SR. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2009;doi:10.1093/jnci/djp018.