Breast cancer risk-reducing medications - featuring the new kid, "baby tam"

Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women in the United States annually, and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. There are many methods available to estimate a woman's risk of breast cancer so one can intervene early. Several medications have been shown to be highly effective in reducing breast cancer risk; however, uptake and adherence to these medications is very low. This is partly due to lack of awareness on the part of clinicians of a patient's candidacy for the medication. However, adverse effects and perceived risks of these medications often lead to hesitation by patients to take the medications. This review discusses the risks and benefits of breast cancer risk-reducing medications to assist with shared decision-making for the most appropriate options.