USPSTF Recommends BCSC Risk Calculator
Updated USPSTF Recommendations suggest BCSC Risk Calculator to identify women who might benefit from medication to reduce breast cancer risk
On January 15, 2019, the United States Preventive Services Task Force posted a draft recommendation statement on medication use to reduce breast cancer risk. They recommend using the BCSC risk calculator to identify women who may benefit from risk-reducing medications, such as tamoxifen, raloxifene or aromatase inhibitors. They recommend women with a 5-year risk of breast cancer of at least 3 percent risk should be offered risk-reducing medications if their risk of harms is low. Tamoxifen can be used in premenopausal women whereas raloxifene should only be used in postmenopausal women. Both drugs reduce the risk of fractures. However, they increase the risk of adverse events including venous thromboembolic events. Older women are more likely to experience harms than younger women.
Posted by: Diana Miglioretti, PhD and Karla Kerlikowske, MD