At risk women get drug to prevent cancer

SCOTS women who are most at risk of developing breast cancer are to be offered a new “gold standard” drug to prevent the disease.

Those who have two or more family members with breast cancer will now be offered tamoxifen for five years, where clinically appropriate.

It will be the first time the drug is used as a preventative measure.

Recent studies have found taking tamoxifen can reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 50%.

About 50,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer each year in the UK, including 4500 in Scotland.

James Jopling, Scotland Director at Breakthrough Breast Cancer said: “We welcome this announcement that women in Scotland at high risk of breast cancer due to their family history will now be offered the drug tamoxifen as a preventative treatment.

“It is so important people have an array of options available to them to manage their own breast cancer risk.

“Although they represent only a very small proportion of the population, for those at highest risk it is vital their options go beyond screening or surgery through the use of preventative medicine.”

Tamoxifen will be offered for five years to women at high risk of breast cancer unless they have a history of thromboembolic disease or endometrial cancer.

Genetic testing will also be offered to affected women who have a 10% chance of having a faulty gene.

Test s can establish whether women have the genes which can increase the risk of cancer.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “It is fantastic we can now find out who is most at risk of cancer and stop it from developing.”