Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Intraductal Delivery and X-ray Visualization of Ethanol-Based Ablative Solution for Prevention and Local Treatment of Breast Cancer in Mouse Models
13:43

Intraductal Delivery and X-ray Visualization of Ethanol-Based Ablative Solution for Prevention and Local Treatment of Breast Cancer in Mouse Models

Published on: April 1, 2022

Prevention of breast cancer: current state of the science and future opportunities

Ivan P Uray1, Powel H Brown

  • 1Breast Care Center, Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX 77030, USA.

Expert Opinion on Investigational Drugs
|November 17, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Preventing breast cancer is possible through pharmacological interventions. New drugs target hormonal pathways and other signaling routes, offering hope for reducing tumor incidence with fewer side effects.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer death in women.
  • Pharmacological prevention of breast cancer is now a reality, with tamoxifen as a key example.
  • Advances in risk assessment and early diagnosis offer new avenues for disease control.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current and novel strategies for breast cancer prevention.
  • To explore the potential of targeting hormonal and other signaling pathways for chemoprevention.
  • To discuss the development of agents for both estrogen receptor-positive and -negative breast cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Review of completed large studies on selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
  • Analysis of ongoing clinical trials for novel SERMs, aromatase inhibitors, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists.
  • Exploration of chemopreventive agents targeting non-hormonal pathways, including retinoids, COX inhibitors, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Main Results:

  • Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and aromatase inhibitors are effective for estrogen receptor-positive tumors.
  • Novel hormonal agents show potential for significant tumor incidence reduction with minimal side effects.
  • Emerging agents targeting other signaling pathways may prevent estrogen receptor-negative breast cancer.

Conclusions:

  • Pharmacological breast cancer prevention is an evolving field with diverse therapeutic strategies.
  • Future prevention efforts may involve combining hormonal and estrogen receptor-independent agents.
  • Continued research into novel chemopreventive agents is crucial for comprehensive breast cancer control.

More Related Videos

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models12:57

X-Ray Visualization of Intraductal Ethanol-Based Ablative Treatment for Prevention of Breast Cancer in Rat Models

Published on: December 9, 2022

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose13:04

In Vivo and Ex Vivo Approaches to Study Ovarian Cancer Metastatic Colonization of Milky Spot Structures in Peritoneal Adipose

Published on: October 14, 2015

Related Concept Videos

Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Cancer Prevention02:59

Cancer Prevention

Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Preventive Healthcare Services01:30

Preventive Healthcare Services

Preventive healthcare services keep people healthy via frequent check-ups, screening, and counseling. They primarily aid in disease prevention rather than treating an acute or chronic illness. Preventive treatment also keeps individuals productive and energetic, allowing them to work well into their retirement years. Examples of preventive care services include:
Targeted Cancer Therapies02:57

Targeted Cancer Therapies

The targeted cancer therapies, also known as “molecular targeted therapies,” take advantage of the molecular and genetic differences between the cancer cells and the normal cells. It needs a thorough understanding of the cancer cells to develop drugs that can target specific molecular aspects that drive the growth, progression, and spread of cancer cells without affecting the growth and survival of other normal cells in the body.
There are several types of targeted therapies against specific...
Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention01:26

Levels of Health Promotion and Illness Prevention

Health promotion allows a person to control the determinants of health, resulting in an improved health status. It enhances the quality of life and reduces premature deaths. Health promotion and illness prevention programs help people make beneficial choices to reduce the risk of disease and disabilities. There are three health promotion and illness prevention levels: primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention.
In primary prevention, actions taken before disease onset prevent the disease from...
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...