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This Article Full Text CME: Take the course for this article: Opportunities and Strategies for Breast Cancer Prevention Through Risk Redu... FREE NURSING CONTACT HOURS All Versions of this Article: CA.2008.0016v1 58/6/347    most recent Submit a letter to the editor View responses Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Mahoney, M. C. Articles by Willett, W. C. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Mahoney, M. C. Articles by Willett, W. C.

Opportunities and Strategies for Breast Cancer Prevention Through Risk Reduction

Dr. Mahoney is Associate Professor of Oncology, Departments of Health Behavior & Medicine, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY.
Dr. Bevers is Medical Director, Cancer Prevention Center and Prevention Outreach Programs, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Houston, TX.
Dr. Linos is currently a Resident Physician with the Department of Dermatology, Stanford University Hospital in Stanford, California. While working on the article, Dr. Linos was a Doctoral Student, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Dr. Willett is Professor of Epidemiology and Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.

    ABSTRACT

Due to the high incidence of breast cancer among US females, risk-reduction strategies are essential. Before considering approaches to breast cancer risk reduction, it is important for clinicians to complete individualized qualitative and quantitative assessments of risk for their patients in order to inform physicians' clinical decision making and management and to engage patients collaboratively in a thorough discussion of risks and benefits. This review will summarize information on potential pharmacologic, nutritional, surgical, and behavioral approaches to reducing breast cancer risk.

While there is no clear evidence that specific dietary components can effectively reduce breast cancer risk, weight gain and obesity in adulthood are risk factors for the development of postmenopausal breast cancer. Alcohol consumption, even at moderate levels, increases breast cancer risk, although some of the detrimental effects may be reduced by sufficient folate intake. Women at increased risk of breast cancer can opt to reduce their breast cancer risk through the use of tamoxifen or raloxifene; other chemopreventive agents remain under investigation. Surgical approaches to risk reductions are restricted to those patients with a substantially increased risk of developing breast cancer. Patients should be encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle for their overall well-being and to remain up to date with recommendations for screening and surveillance.

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