Chemotherapy and tamoxifen cut long-term risk of contralateral breast cancer

[Margerie]

http://www.asco.org/ASCO/News/Cancer...reutersid=7672

[R.B.]

"The reduced risk was greatest for women who became postmenopausal within 1 year of their first cancer diagnosis (rate ratio = 0.28)......

Ovarian suppression caused by chemotherapy may have a role in the association, possibly in combination with a cytotoxic effect on prevalent subclinical contralateral breast cancers," the researchers comment."

There are recognising here that removal of ovarian function may be one of the ways in which chemo works.

Trials have looked at chemo v ablation.

Trials have also looked at RT and boost v RT and tamoxifen and v RT boost and tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen can have some significant side effects.

I have not searched and read trials in this area for some while, and so cannot do more than flag the issues as ones that may warrant a bit if reading if of interest.

There are previous posts on this subject.

R.B.