The prevention of breast cancer

Abstract

The case for treating women at high risk of breast cancer with the anti-oestrogen tamoxifen is presented. This is a logical extension of a screening programme and is scientifically based on the effectiveness of tamoxifen in established disease, the relation between free oestradiol (and other hormone-related factors) to the risk of breast cancer, and the lack of side-effects from tamoxifen treatment. Choice of a high-risk group is critical; a specific trial protocol is outlined.