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Medications to Reduce Risk

Review national guidelines for cancer screening and prevention; this information is listed by gene mutation and by cancer type.
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Medications to Lower Breast Cancer Risk

Healthy, high-risk women (people assigned female at birth) may benefit from medications to lower their risk for breast cancer. The two types of medications may be used to lower the risk for breast cancer in women; selective receptor modulators (SERM) and aromatase inhibitors. 

Most of the research on these medications have looked at women with increased risk for breast cancer due to a family history of cancer or certain breast changes found on biopsy. There has been very little research on how well these medications work in women with an linked to breast cancer risk.  

High-risk women who wish to consider medications to lower their risk for breast cancer should discuss the benefits, risks and limitations with their health care provider.

SERMs

The two most commonly used SERMs are tamoxifen and raloxifene. 

  • Tamoxifen blocks the effect of on breast tissue. Tamoxifen is approved for use in both pre- and post-menopausal women. When taken for five years, it reduces breast cancer risk by up to 40%; this protective effect continues beyond the five-year treatment period. Tamoxifen may also protect bone density and reduce risk in postmenopausal women who cannot take hormone replacement therapy. Side effects of tamoxifen include an increased risk of endometrial cancer and blood clots.
  • Raloxifene works in a similar way as tamoxifen. It is used to lower breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women. Raloxifene has a lower risk for endometrial cancer and blood clots and fewer side effects than tamoxifen. The most common side effects are hot flashes, blood clots, nausea and weight gain.

Aromatase Inhibitors

Aromatase inhibitors are medications that block production of  in postmenopausal women. Common aromatase inhibitors include anastrozole (Arimidex), letrozole (Femara), and exemestane (Aromasin).

Unlike SERMs, aromatase inhibitors do not improve bone density. In fact, they may actually accelerate bone loss in postmenopausal women. However, aromatase inhibitors tend to cause fewer side effects and do not appear to have the risk of blood clots or endometrial cancer seen with tamoxifen.

No studies have looked at aromatase inhibitors for the prevention of breast cancer in women with an inherited mutation linked to breast cancer. 

Find Experts
Find Experts

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Finding breast experts

 

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Paying For Care
Paying For Care

Health plan coverage of screening and prevention varies, and deductibles, coinsurance and copays often apply. If you need preventive services and your insurance company denies your claim, your health care provider can help you write an appeal letter, or you can use one of our sample appeal letters. If you need information about finding an insurance plan, watch our video: Choosing Wisely: How to Pick Insurance Plans.

Visit our section on Insurance and Paying for Care: Screening and Prevention for more information. 

Open Clinical Trials
Open Clinical Trials

The following are breast cancer screening or prevention studies enrolling people at high risk for breast cancer.   

Additional risk-management clinical trials for people at high risk for breast cancer may be found here.

Last updated March 19, 2022