Limited Uptake of Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Prevention Despite Improved Understanding

Despite being informed about the risks and benefits of tamoxifen, a significant portion of high-risk women are unlikely to take the drug for breast cancer prevention. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center found that only 6% of women said they were likely to take tamoxifen, even after viewing a decision aid that provided tailored information about the drug's effects based on their health history. The study targeted 632 women at high risk of developing breast cancer within the next five years and found that while 41% could correctly answer six questions about the risks and benefits of tamoxifen, only 29% said they were likely to seek out more information and 29% said they would ask their doctor about it.

Key Takeaways:

• Only 6% of high-risk women said they were likely to take tamoxifen for breast cancer prevention, despite being informed about the risks and benefits.
• The study found that 41% of women could correctly answer six questions about the risks and benefits of tamoxifen after viewing a decision aid.
• Despite this understanding, only 29% of women said they were likely to seek out more information about tamoxifen.
• A scant 6% of women said they were likely to take tamoxifen, and three months later, fewer than 1% had started taking the drug.
• Side effects were the biggest concern about tamoxifen, with 80% of participants worried about this.
• The study suggests that even when women are well-informed about tamoxifen, they are still unlikely to take the drug due to concerns about side effects.

Statistics:

• 632 women participated in the study.
• 41% of women could correctly answer six questions about the risks and benefits of tamoxifen.
• 63% correctly answered at least five out of six questions.
• 29% of women said they were likely to seek out more information about tamoxifen.
• 29% of women said they would ask their doctor about tamoxifen.
• Only 6% of women said they were likely to take tamoxifen.
• Fewer than 1% of participants had started taking tamoxifen three months after the study.
• Fewer than 6% of participants had either talked to their doctor or sought more information about tamoxifen.
• 80% of participants were concerned about the side effects of tamoxifen.
• As many as 10 million women could be eligible to take tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer.

Sources:

• NewsRx Health editors, "New Study on Tamoxifen and Breast Cancer," NewsRx.com, 2010.
• University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, "Tamoxifen for Breast Cancer Prevention," University of Michigan Health System.