Underutilisation of breast cancer prevention medication in Australia. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Macdonald, Courtney; Chamberlain, James A.; Mazza, Danielle; Milne, Roger L.; Phillips, Kelly-Anne
• Is Part Of: Breast. Volume 60(2021)
• Page Start: 35
• Page End: 37
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Breast cancer -- Prevention -- Chemoprevention -- Tamoxifen -- Risk; RRMed Risk reducing medication -- BC Breast cancer -- kConFab Kathleen Cuningham Foundation Consortium for Research into Familial Breast Cancer -- BOADICEA Breast and Ovarian Analysis of Disease Incidence and Carrier Estimation Algorithm -- DCIS Ductal carcinoma in situ -- LCIS Lobular carcinoma in situ -- OR Odds ratio -- CI Confidence interval; Breast -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Breast -- Tumors -- Periodicals; Breast -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2021.08.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-9776

Abstract

Abstract: Increased implementation of proven prevention strategies is required to combat rising breast cancer incidence. We assessed use of risk reducing medication (RRMed) by Australian women at elevated breast cancer risk. Only 2.4% had ever used RRMed. Higher breast cancer risk was statistically significantly associated with use of RRMed (OR 1.82, 95%CI: 1.08–3.07, p = 0.02 for ≥30% lifetime risk compared with 16%–29% lifetime risk), but parity, education level and family history of breast cancer were not. Breast cancer prevention medications are underutilised. Efforts are needed to incorporate breast cancer risk assessment and risk management discussions into routine health assessments for women. Highlights: Risk-reducing medication is infrequently used by Australian women at increased risk of breast cancer. Higher breast cancer risk is associated with greater uptake of risk reducing medication, but not with adherence. Routine breast cancer risk assessment may increase risk reducing medication use.