The prevention of breast cancer: An overview

The role of lifestyle modifications, antioestrogens, cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhi bitors and prophylactic mastectomy in reducing breast cancer is reviewed. I f is concluded that avoiding postmenopausal obesity and regular physical ac tivity are simple measures thar seem to reduce breast cancer risk. There is no conclusive evidence that dietary modification and vitamin supplementati on significantly reduce the risk of breast cancer. The evidence suggests th at tamoxifen significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer in women at in creased risk, but whether it reduces breast cancer mortality remains unknow n. Ongoing clinical trials may prove that raloxifene is superior to tamoxif en in breast cancer prevention due to its anti-oestrogenic effects on the e ndometrium. Bilateral prophylactic mastectomy reduces the risk of breast ca ncer by 90% in high risk women.