Study: Few Women Benefit From Tamoxifen
Study: Few Women Benefit From Tamoxifen
Sept. 27, 2004 -- Few women at risk for breast cancer will benefit from taking the drug tamoxifen to reduce their risk, according to a new study.
Tamoxifen has been approved by the FDA for breast cancer prevention in women over 35 years old who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer in the next five years, according to a standard breast cancer risk estimation method used by doctors.
That approval came after a national study showed that the use of tamoxifen prevented nearly half of the breast cancers otherwise expected to occur in healthy women at high risk.
But the same study also showed that tamoxifen increased the risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots in the legs, dangerous blockage of arteries in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and stroke.
Keeping the potential risks and benefits in mind, researchers say it's unclear how many women might be eligible for the breast cancer prevention drug and meet both requirements of increased breast cancer risk and low risk of side effects.
In their study, published in the Sept. 27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers surveyed 605 women aged 40 to 69 who visited an internal medicine practice in North Carolina in 2000.
Researchers used the survey to estimate the women's five-year breastcancer risk and then determine their eligibility for tamoxifen by looking at their risk of side effects from the drug. Women with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or blood clots in legs and/or lungs are considered at increased risk for adverse effects caused by tamoxifen.
The study showed that among white women, 9% of those in their 40s, 24% of those in their 50s, and 53% of those in their 60s were at increased risk for breast cancer within the next five years. Among black women, nearly 3% of those in their 40s, 7% in their 50s, and 13% in their 60s met the same requirement.
But when researchers considered the risk of side effects from tamoxifen in white women, they found 10% or fewer in all age groups were considered appropriate candidates for the drug based on their risk/benefit profile.
Tamoxifen has been approved by the FDA for breast cancer prevention in women over 35 years old who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer in the next five years, according to a standard breast cancer risk estimation method used by doctors.
That approval came after a national study showed that the use of tamoxifen prevented nearly half of the breast cancers otherwise expected to occur in healthy women at high risk.
But the same study also showed that tamoxifen increased the risk of endometrial cancer, blood clots in the legs, dangerous blockage of arteries in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), and stroke.
Keeping the potential risks and benefits in mind, researchers say it's unclear how many women might be eligible for the breast cancer prevention drug and meet both requirements of increased breast cancer risk and low risk of side effects.
Few May Benefit From Breast Cancer Prevention Drug
In their study, published in the Sept. 27 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, researchers surveyed 605 women aged 40 to 69 who visited an internal medicine practice in North Carolina in 2000.
Researchers used the survey to estimate the women's five-year breastcancer risk and then determine their eligibility for tamoxifen by looking at their risk of side effects from the drug. Women with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or blood clots in legs and/or lungs are considered at increased risk for adverse effects caused by tamoxifen.
The study showed that among white women, 9% of those in their 40s, 24% of those in their 50s, and 53% of those in their 60s were at increased risk for breast cancer within the next five years. Among black women, nearly 3% of those in their 40s, 7% in their 50s, and 13% in their 60s met the same requirement.
But when researchers considered the risk of side effects from tamoxifen in white women, they found 10% or fewer in all age groups were considered appropriate candidates for the drug based on their risk/benefit profile.
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