Publication Abstract

Authors: Waters EA, Cronin KA, Graubard BI, Han PK, Freedman AN

Title: Prevalence of tamoxifen use for breast cancer chemoprevention among U.S. women.

Journal: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 19(2):443-6

Date: 2010 Feb

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen can reduce the risk of developing invasive estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer by 49%, but it is unknown how many women in the United States are taking tamoxifen for primary prevention of breast cancer. METHODS: Data from the years 2000 and 2005 National Health Interview Surveys were analyzed to estimate the prevalence of tamoxifen use among U.S. women for primary chemoprevention of breast cancer. RESULTS: In 2000, approximately 0.2% of U.S. women ages 40 to 79 years without a personal history of breast cancer took tamoxifen for chemoprevention (95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.31). In 2005, the prevalence was approximately 0.08% (95% confidence interval, 0.03-0.17). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tamoxifen use for primary prevention of breast cancer was very low in the years 2000 and 2005. Possible explanations for the low uptake are explored.