Breast Cancer Risk Treatment

Pros and cons of breast cancer risk treatments:
This is important information for all women who are approaching menopause or who are currently at that stage. Many of us are taking treatments to reduce the risk of breast cancer. These are some of the treatments I know about and their positive and negative effects.

Estrogen
Pros: Women who have had breast cancer or who are at high risk for having breast cancer probably should not take estrogen (estrogen's benefits are discussed throughout this table)
Cons: possible increased risk of breast cancer; increased risk of uterine cancer if estrogen is taken without progesterone; increased risk of blood clots

Tamoxifen
Pros: Lowers risk of breast cancer; reduces risk of fractures
Cons: Increases risk of uterine cancer, blood clots; more hot flashes; irregular vaginal bleeding

Raloxifene
Pros: May lower the risk of breast cancer; prevents fractures
Cons: Increases risk of blood clots; more hot flashes; leg cramps