Chemoprevention of breast cancer

We critically examined the literature regarding tamoxifen and raloxifene fo r breast cancer chemoprevention, a controversial topic of interest to all p roviders of health care services for women. The National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project showed that tamoxifen decreased the incidence of b reast cancer in women at increased risk. Two European studies did not confi rm this benefit. Although web-tolerated, tamoxifen chemoprevention continue s to be associated with an increased risk of endometrial cancer. Raloxifene is a promising agent that. has not been established to reduce the incidenc e of breast cancer in women at increased risk and currently should not be c onsidered 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 par ticipate in the ongoing clinical trial comparing tamoxifen and raloxifene f or breast cancer prevention.