Novel strategies in breast cancer prevention
Pavia, O.; Rodriguez-Lugo, J.I.; Acevedo, L.; Javier, J.; LuisBaez; Caceres, W.
Boletin de la Asociacion Medica de Puerto Rico 97(2): 120-125
2005
ISSN/ISBN: 0004-4849 Document Number: 703041
Breast cancer is the most frequent malignancy in women and the second cause of death, despite significant advances in its detection and treatment. This has led to the development of novel preventive strategies through the use of drugs, natural products, lifestyle modification, genetic and surgical approaches. Tamoxifen is the only drug that has been approved for risk reduction in women with high risk for breast cancer. However, there are justified concerns about its widespread use based in the balance between its benefits and its side effects. Carcinogenesis in the breast is a hormonally dependent process. Based in this concept, preventive strategies have led to the development of agents that either inhibit estrogen action at the receptor (selective estrogen receptor modulatorsSERMS) or agents that inhibit estrogensynthesizing enzymes (aromatase inhibitorsAIs). As physicians become more aware of these preventive strategies in a way similar to the pharmaceutical lowering of cholesterol and heart disease, breast cancer can become a highly preventable disease.
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