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Preventive tamoxifen use low in 2000, 2005
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The prevalence of tamoxifen use in 2000 and 2005 to reduce the risk for invasive estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer was very low, according to findings from a study conducted by researchers with the National Cancer Institute.
Findings from the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial in 1998 demonstrated a 49% risk reduction for invasive ER-positive breast cancer with tamoxifen use in high-risk women. Although there are known adverse effects, including hot flashes and sexual problems, using tamoxifen may be appropriate for some high-risk women, according to the researchers.
To examine tamoxifen use among women in the United States aged 40 to 79 years with no history of breast cancer, the researchers analyzed data from the National Health Interview Survey for 2000 and 2005.
Tamoxifen use was low in the year 2000 at a rate of about 0.2% (95% CI, 0.13-0.31). In 2005, the rate continued to be low, at about 0.08% (95% CI, 0.03-0.17).
Possible explanations for the low use of tamoxifen for prevention of breast cancer included physician reluctance to prescribe the drug due to a lack of education about risk reduction techniques and patient reluctance to take it due to concerns about adverse effects.
“For each individual woman, the benefits of chemoprevention breast cancer treatment must be weighed carefully against its risks, and decision-making should incorporate the many medical, psychosocial and personal factors that are unique to that woman,” the researchers wrote.
For more information:
- Waters EA. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2010;19:443-446.