News

NICE recommends preventative tamoxifen

15 Jan 2013
NICE recommends preventative tamoxifen

The UK's National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has announced new guidelines for the NHS for people with a family history of breast cancer.

 

NICE has recommended:


Surveillance for people with a personal history and a family history of breast cancer: 

Offer annual MRI surveillance to all women aged 30–49 years with a personal history of breast cancer who are at high risk of contralateral breast cancer or have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Familial Breast Cancer:

Offer annual mammographic surveillance to all women aged 50–69 years with a personal history of breast cancer who are at high risk of contralateral breast cancer or have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.

Chemoprevention for women with no personal history of breast cancer:
Offer tamoxifen or raloxifene for 5 years to post-menopausal women at high risk of breast cancer unless they have a past history of thromboembolic disease or endometrial cancer.

Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Breakthrough Breast Cancer, commented:

“This draft guideline represents a historic step for the prevention of breast cancer - it is the first time drugs have ever been recommended for reducing breast cancer risk in the UK. This is exciting as, even though most women do not have a significant family history of the disease, it’s crucial that those who do have an array of options to help them control their risk.

"An update to this guideline is long overdue and we’re especially pleased it has been extended to include both women who have had breast cancer, and men, for the first time. Once finalised, this guideline will pose new challenges for the NHS as it will need to deliver on its recommendations, including a potentially large increase in genetic testing.

"Breakthrough Breast Cancer will strive to ensure the final recommendations are implemented swiftly. We urge women with concerns about their family history of breast cancer to speak to their doctor.”



Source: Breakthrough Breast Cancer and NICE