Drugs
In 1998 the drug Tamoxifen was approved by the FDA. Studies showed that it reduced the risk of breast cancer in high-risk women as much as 50%. In 2006 the osteoporosis drug Raloxifene was shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer just as effectively as Tamoxifen, but with fewer side effects. The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) compared the two drugs in one of the largest breast cancer prevention studies ever. It found that both drugs greatly reduced the risk of breast with Raloxifene doing slightly better. Women who are at high-risk should talk to their doctor and ask about Tamoxifen and Raloxifene to prevent breast cancer. For women taking menopause relief medications such as Feminestra should talk to their doctor before taking any other medications.
Screenings
Another thing women can do to help prevent breast cancer is to find it as early as possible. This means that women over 40 who are at a normal risk should get a mammogram every year. For women at a higher risk should receive a mammogram and a MRI at least once a year starting around the age of 30. Before receiving a mammogram make sure that the facility has a FDA certificate, it should be display conspicuously somewhere in the office. Facilities that do not have this certificate are prohibited by law to perform mammograms. Women at high a high risk should also receive a mammogram once every three years starting at the age of 20. You should also become familiar with your breast and know what “normal” is for you. If you find anything unusual that does not go away after one menstrual cycle you should go see a doctor.
Lifestyle Changes
Perhaps the easiest thing you can do to lower your risk for breast cancer is have a healthy lifestyle. Try to have a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables. Also try to maintain an ideal body weight for your height and body type, exercise, and drink in moderation, if at all. A study at the University of Washington Seattle found that exercise and the lack of obesity significantly reduced the risk and delayed the onset of breast cancer.
Surgery
For women who have a strong family history of breast cancer may want to ask their doctors about a procedure called prophylactic mastectomy. Prophylactic mastectomy is an aggressive surgery that removes both breasts before any cancer is detected. This does not completely eliminate the risk, but it does reduce it by 90%. Women who may have this genetic abnormality may also look into prophylactic oophorectomy, removing of the ovaries. Women who have inherited the breast cancer abnormality gene are also at a greater risk for ovarian cancer.
