Just 1 in 7 at high risk of breast cancer take protective drug

ONLY one in seven women at high risk of breast cancer are taking pills that reduce their chances of getting the disease, according to a study.

It found thousands choose not to take Tamoxifen, with many believing cancer is ‘down to fate’ while others fear side effects such as hot flushes and nausea would interfere with looking after their family.

The 5p-a- day pills reduce the risk of breast cancer by 30 per cent. But the study, funded by Cancer Research UK, found fewer than 15 per cent of eligible patients surveyed were taking them.

Of these, women with children were more likely to do so than those without – 17.6 per cent compared with 3.8 per cent.

The results were based on a poll of 258 women but experts believe the findings are likely to reflect wider trends.