Medication use to reduce risk
- two of the most known and commonly used medications to help prevent breast cancer in those who are already at a high risk are raloxifene (Evista) and tamoxifen( Nolvadex)
- these medications are normally only used if an individual has an extremely high risk of breast cancer development
- these medications when used to prevent breast cancer do so by blocking estrogen receptors in the breast tissue ( remember breast cancer can be caused by too much female hormone thus if we reduce the hormone we reduce the risk)
- some of the common side effects are hot flashes, leg pain, blood clots, nausea, and sweating)
Please click the risk assessment tool link below if you would like to enter your personal information to determine your risk of breast cancer
Referenced
Tamoxifen: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (2010, September 1). Retrieved September 9, 2015, from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a682414.html
Raloxifene: MedlinePlus Drug Information. (2008, March 1). Retrieved September 9, 2015, from https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/meds/a698007.