Patient description: The patient is a 42 year-old postmenopausal woman who had a screening sonogram which revealed an abnormality in the right breast. She had no palpable masses on breast exam. Core biopsy was done and revealed a 1.8 cm infiltrating ductal breast carcinoma in the left upper outer quadrant. Lumpectomy was done and the surgical margins were clear. The tumor was HER2-positive and ER/PR negative. Axillary sampling revealed 1 positive lymph node out of 12 sampled. CXR was unremarkable. She is using “well women” multivitamins daily and no other medication. She smokes frequently and consumes alcohol occasionally. She is in a relation with only one partner and has a history of 3 pregnancies and live births. She breastfed all three children.

Clinical trial eligibility criteria: eligible ages (years): 18.0-999.0,  Breast Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia Breast Atypical Lobular Hyperplasia Breast Ductal Carcinoma In Situ Breast Lobular Carcinoma In Situ Invasive Breast Carcinoma Participants must be at high risk as defined by a history of breast cancer (invasive or ductal breast carcinoma in situ [DCIS]) and be at least 5 years out from diagnosis, or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS), or proliferative benign breast disease such atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), atypical lobular hyperplasia (ALH) or genetic test confirmation of BRCA 1/2 mutation carrier or have a breast cancer risk assessment >= 1.7% in 5 years or a lifetime risk >= 20% No evidence of disease (in situ or invasive cancer that would normally be treated by resection) at trial entry as determined by the investigator; diagnosis of invasive cancer must be at least 5 years prior to initiation on trial Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status =< 1 (Karnofsky >= 70%) Leukocytes >= 3,000/microliter Absolute neutrophil count >= 1,500/microliter Platelets >= 100,000/microliter Total bilirubin within normal institutional limits Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase [SGOT])/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) (serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase [SGPT]) =< 1.5 x institutional upper limit of normal (ULN) Creatinine =< 1.5 x institutional ULN Hemoglobin >= 10 g/dL  History of allergic reactions attributed to compounds of similar chemical or biologic composition to bexarotene gel, oral or topical retinoids Uncontrolled intercurrent illness including, but not limited to, ongoing or active infection, symptomatic congestive heart failure, unstable angina pectoris, cardiac arrhythmia, thromboembolic disease, or psychiatric illness/social situations that would limit compliance with study requirements Pregnant, or had given birth, or nursed at any time during the last 12 months Women with a history of any cancer within the last 3 years, except for non-melanoma skin cancer; history of breast cancer must be at least > 5 years from diagnosis Prior bilateral breast surgery (mastectomy, segmental mastectomy, or breast augmentation surgery including breast implants or breast reductions) or combination of breast radiation and surgery involving both breasts Prior history or evidence of metastatic breast cancer Prior history of histologically confirmed bilateral invasive breast cancer Current use or < 6 months since use of selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERMS) or aromatase inhibitors or any other investigational treatment for breast cancer prevention or therapy Skin lesions that disrupt the stratum corneum (e.g., eczema, ulceration) or any breakdown of the skin Current use of a retinol containing agent or any retinoid analogue drug within the last 30 days