Any woman at high risk for breast cancer should avoid alcohol or drink it sparingly. Drugs Used for Prevention. Tamoxifen, used to treat breast cancer, is being studied for prevention of recurring and original breast cancers. In a major study, tamoxifen reduced the risk for breast cancer by half in high-risk women, particularly those over 60. Two smaller ones were less positive, including one that found no protection in women with a family history of breast cancer.
More research is needed.
Tamoxifen increases the risk for blood clots, endometrial and colorectal cancers, and may also cause abnormalities in the cervix and ovaries. Raloxifene, a similar drug may have fewer serious side effects, is currently in a comparison trial with tamoxifen. Monthly Self-Examination 1. Pick a time of the month that is easy to remember and perform self-examination at that time each month. The breast has normal patterns of thickness and lumpiness that change within a monthly period, and a consistently scheduled examination will help the woman differentiate between what is normal from abnormal.