Majority of women at-risk of breast cancer decline drugs

Researchers have found that nearly nine out of 10 women at risk of developing breast cancer reject a preventative treatment that could cut the chances of it forming.

UK researchers found that six out of seven women turn down the use of breast cancer drug tamoxifen, despite it being recommended for women with a high risk of developing breast cancer because of their family history. Medical professionals believe that tamoxifen can cut the chances of developing breast cancer by a third.

However, interviews with a cross-section of the women who took part in the study found that many women were hesitant about its use, or even against it, because of a distrust of medications, fears about side-effects or the lack of guarantee that it will actually prevent them getting breast cancer.

Published in Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, the study revealed the responses of 258 women, of whom only 32 took up the offer of tamoxifen.

Dr Richard Roope, Cancer Research UK’s senior clinical adviser, said: “When an established drug like tamoxifen is found to work not only as a treatment for breast cancer, but is also shown to reduce the risk of the disease, it seems we’re making real progress.

“It’s valuable to understand why women might reject tamoxifen, and this research highlights there are a range of complex reasons behind the decision. It’s vital more work is done to understand these barriers, improve treatments and ensure doctors are getting the support they need to help women decide whether preventative medication is right for them. Whatever a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer, keeping a healthy weight and cutting back on alcohol are also ways of reducing it.”