Prevention

Although there is no certain way to prevent breast cancer, studies have suggested that regular exercise can reduce breast cancer risk. Researchers are also impact of diet on breast cancer and the possibility of using chemotherapy for prevention in some women who have a high risk of developing breast cancer

There are already some options available for women at high risk for breast cancer.

Genetic testing
Genetic testing can tell if a woman carries an abnormal gene which increases her risk of breast cancer, but it cannot predict whether a woman will get the disease. Genetic testing is only appropriate for women with a family or personal history of breast cancer. Testing needs to be proceeded by genetic counselling to help understand the implications of pursuing testing. Women who carry mutations in breast cancer genes will also have an increased risk of ovarian cancer.

Tamoxifen
The drug tamoxifen has been used for many years as a treatment for some breast cancer. Recent studies show that women at high risk for breast cancer are less likely to develop the disease if they take tamoxifen. Tamoxifen does have risks as well as benefits. These factors must be weighted carefully in the case of each individual woman. Research on the use of Tamoxifen to prevent breast cancer is still ongoing.

Prophylactic mastectomy
Women at very high risk might consider a prophylactic (preventive) mastectomy. This is an operation in which one or both breasts are removed before there is any known breast cancer. Women who consider a prophylactic mastectomy usually have one or more of the following:

inherited mutated genes
an earlier breast cancer
a strong family history of breast cancer
a diagnosis of certain conditions such as lobular carcinoma in situ
It is still possible to get breast cancer after a prophylactic mastectomy but it is thought to reduce the risk by about 90 percent.