Patient and medical barriers preclude uptake of tamoxifen preventative therapy in women with a strong family history

Abstract

Aims To assess the eligibility, uptake and impediments to tamoxifen use in high-risk women attending a risk management clinic due to family history. Patients and methods All patients with a germline mutation in a cancer predisposing gene or at high genetic risk (based on family history) attending a Breast and Ovarian cancer risk management clinic from February 2014 to May 2015 received both verbal and written evidence-based information on preventive therapy and were recommended to consider endocrine prevention if not contraindicated. Endocrine therapy initiation, use and cessation were captured. Patient eligibility was analysed and reasons for declining, ceasing or contraindications for medi..