What is Tamoxifen and Can it Prevent or Reduce My Risk of Breast Cancer?

— -- Question:What is tamoxifen, and can it prevent or reduce my risk of breast cancer?

Answer: Tamoxifen is a highly effective treatment for breast cancer, it's a pill taken once a day for up to five years; and it works by blocking the ability of breast cancer cells to combine with the female hormone estrogen. This blockage stops the breast cancer cells from dividing. Now there are several large studies from around the world, with women who are otherwise healthy, but at increased risk for the future development of breast cancer. And in those individuals, tamoxifen reduced the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50 percent. So tamoxifen now is an option for women at increased risk for breast cancer to reduce their risks of developing this disease.

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