A clinical research study is currently underway to see if low-dose tamoxifen can reduce the risk of breast cancer in childhood, adolescent , and young adulthood cancer survivors. 

Why childhood, adolescent , and young adulthood cancer survivors?
Women who received radiation therapy for childhood, adolescent, and young adulthood cancer that included the chest or axilla before age 40 have increased risk for developing breast cancer. Careful breast cancer screening is recommended for childhood, adolescent , and young adulthood cancer survivors, but there is currently no risk reduction options designed just for them.

Why Tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen is a drug that has been proven to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50% in other women at high risk for developing breast cancer. More recently, data has shown that a lower dose may be better tolerated and just as effective.

What would I be asked to do?

• Screening for eligibility:
  • Medical history, breast exam, and lab tests.
• If you are eligible:
  • You will be given pills containing either placebo or 5mg of tamoxifen to take daily for two years.
  • You will come back to the clinic every six months for a breast exam. Blood and urine will be collected annually. Breast imaging will be performed as standard of care for your level of breast cancer risk.
  • Breast tissue sampling will be performed at the beginning at the end of the study. 

Is it risky?
Common side effects reported with standard-dose tamoxifen include hot flashes and vaginal discharge, These have not been reported with low-dose tamoxifen.  Other potential side effects will be discussed at your initial meeting.

Who can get involved?
Participants must be women at least 25 years old with childhood, adolescent , and young adulthood cancer survivors  at least 2 years ago.  They must have received radiation to the chest or axilla prior to the age of 40 and remained recurrence-free for at least 2 years.  Breast implants or hormone use is not allowed.

This study is only being conducted at select cancer centers in North America.  To see if you qualify, please contact the coordinating center at City of Hope:

Low-dose Tamoxifen for Radiation-Induced Breast Cancer Risk Reduction Trial
(800) 250-8430
survivortrial@coh.org

This study is supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute (R01 CA140245-01A1).