HHS’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Washington, has found three drugs which can reduce the risk of having breast cancer. However, each of the drugs has its own potential harms.

 

The report issued by the Agency reveals that the three drugs are tamoxifen, raloxifene, and tibolone. As per the comparative effectiveness review, these drugs have proved to lower the risk of breast cancer in middle-aged and older women. But the effects vary with the patient and the drug.

 

AHRQ Director Dr. Carolyn M. Clancy says, “Taking medicine to avoid breast cancer in the first place is an attractive notion, but the decision to do so must be made by patients in consultation with their clinicians with benefit of the best evidence available. These drugs are not necessarily for everyone. This report sheds important light on their advantages and potential harms.”

 

The effectiveness of these drugs were measured based on factors like age, menopausal status, oestrogen use, and family history of breast cancer.  The women, who can be subjected to breast cancer prevention therapy, were also considered.

 

The characteristics of the patients who can reap the benefits of these drugs are yet to be identified.

 

 The AHRQ report compared tamoxifen with another SERM, raloxifene, with the latter being primarily used for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and was approved by the FDA for breast cancer risk reduction in 2007.

 

Tibolone, which has not been approved by the FDA for use in the US, is commonly used in other countries. This is primarily used to treat menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. This drug also forms an important part of the study.

 

As per the report, all these three drugs reduce the occurrence of breast cancer, but have varied side effects.

 

Tamoxifen causes flushing and other vasomotor symptoms like sweats and hot flashes, vaginal discharge as well as itching or dryness of the vagina.

 

Vasomotor symptoms and leg cramps are found in those who use raloxifene whereas tibolone causes vaginal bleeding.

 

The report also cautions the users against the adverse effects of these drugs.

 

Women who use Tamoxifen are more prone to hysterectomies, cataracts as well as endometrial cancer.  Women also experience more blood clots when Tamoxifen and raloxifene are used, but in this case also, the risk associated with the use of the former is higher. Women using Tibolone have higher chances of developing stroke.