Julie R. Gralow, M.D.Director, Breast Medical Oncology, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Professor, Medical Oncology, University of Washington School of Medicine

Member, Clinical Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

• Primary Prevention–Lifestyle–Chemoprevention–Prophylactic surgery

• Secondary Prevention–Screening and early detection

Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

Breast Cancer Risk Reduction:Lifestyle

ExerciseDiet

WeightAlcohol

Lifestyle Recommendations for Breast Cancer Risk Reduction

• Regular exercise• Low fat, high fiber diet• Good intake of fruits and

vegetables• Low alcohol• Maintain a good body weight

Report of the President’s Cancer Panel 2006-2007Healthy Lifestyles

www.deainfo.nih.nci.gov/advisory/pcp

• Tobacco and second hand tobacco smoke exposure account for 1/3 of cancer deaths in the U.S.

• Unhealthy diet, weight, physical activity may account for another 1/3

• Clear evidence that healthy lifestyle behaviors can reduce chance of developing cancer

Exercise and Breast Cancer Risk

• Regular physical activity is associated with decreased breast cancer risk

• Many studies have found that women who exercise at higher intensity levels for > 3 hours/week reduce their risk of breast cancer by 20-40%

Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Cohort: Physical Activity and Breast Cancer Risk

McTiernan A et al, JAMA 2003

• Patients: 74,171 women ages 50-79• Study: incidence of breast cancer correlated to physical

activity• Results:

– 1,780 cases of breast cancer over 4.7 yrs– Regular physical activity at age 18, 35, and 50 had

14% reduction in breast cancer risk – 1.25-2.5 hrs/week brisk walking had 18% decreased

risk – Greatest reduction seen for women with >10

hrs/week brisk walking

• Obesity may account for 25-30% of several major cancers

• Weight gain during adulthood is a consistent and strong predictor of breast cancer risk

• Overweight women are 1.3 – 2.1 times more likely to die from breast cancer compared to women with normal weight

Obesity and Cancer

• Primary Prevention–Lifestyle–Chemoprevention–Prophylactic surgery

• Secondary Prevention–Screening and early detection

Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

Chemoprevention

The use of natural or synthetic chemical agents to reverse, suppress, or prevent

cancer

Breast Cancer Chemoprevention Agents

• FDA approved for breast cancer chemoprevention:– Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)– Raloxifene (Evista)

• Both drugs are synthetic, non-steroidal, Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators (SERMs)– Mixed anti-estrogenic and weak estrogenic

effects depending on the tissue

NSABP P-01 Tamoxifen Breast Cancer Prevention Trial

Fisher B et al, JNCI 90:1371-1378, 1998• 13,400 women at

high risk for breast cancer

• Randomized to placebo vs. tamoxifen for 5 years

• Study stopped at mean 3.5 years of follow-up)

5-Year Non-Breast Cancer Events on Tamoxifen (10,000 Women)

Gail M et al, JNCI 1999Age Group (Caucasian)

Event 35-39 40-49 50-59 60-69 70-79Hip fracture -1 -1 -22 -52 -151Endometrial CA +2 +16 +120 +206 +223CVA +2 +13 +32 +91 +196PE +7 +15 +49 +85 +177DVT +13 +15 +16 +28 +44Colle’s/Spine Fx -13 -13 -42 -71 -115Cataracts +35 +35 +101 +269 +384

Quality of life (hot flashes, vaginal discharge) must be factored in as well

NSABP P-02 STAR Chemoprevention Trial

(Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene)Wickerham DL et al, ASCO 2006, abstract 5

• 19,747 postmenopausal women at risk for breast cancer (5-year risk 1.7%)

• Randomized to tamoxifen vs. raloxifene for 5 years

• 47 month median follow-up

• Concern about implications of difference in DCIS

Tamoxifen and Raloxifene for Breast Cancer Chemoprevention

Weighing the Risks and Benefits• Both provide women at increased risk with an

option to reduce their chance of developing breast cancer

• Influences on mortality and long-term risks and benefits have not been defined in the prevention setting

• Balance of benefits and risks varies by age, breast cancer risk (and hysterectomy status for tamoxifen)

Breast Cancer Chemoprevention: Ongoing Studies

• Postmenopausal–Aromatase inhibitors

» IBIS 2 (Anastrozole vs. Placebo)»EXCEL (Exemestane vs Placebo)

• Premenopausal–Ovarian suppression–Vitamin D

• Primary Prevention–Lifestyle–Chemoprevention–Prophylactic surgery

• Secondary Prevention–Screening and early detection

Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

Breast Cancer Risk Reduction: Prophylactic Surgery

Prophylactic mastectomy and oophorectomy should be considered

only for women at substantial risk

Considerations for Women with Inherited Susceptibility to Breast and

Ovarian Cancer• Prophylactic Mastectomy

– Reduces breast cancer risk by 90% – Rare breast cancers still occur

– Disfiguring– An option for women at very high risk

Long-term Satisfaction and Psychological and Social Function Following Bilateral

Prophylactic Mastectomy• Reduced level of concern

about developing breast cancer (74%)

• Some patients reported negative impact on:– Emotional stability (9%)– Level of stress (14%)– Self-esteem (18%)– Sexual relationships (23%)– Feelings of femininity

(25%)– Body image (36%)

Frost MH et al. JAMA 2000;284:319-24.

Considerations for Women with Inherited Susceptibility to Breast and

Ovarian Cancer• Prophylactic Oophorectomy

– Reduces ovarian cancer risk by 90-95%– Peritoneal carcinomatosis may still occur

– Induces surgical menopause– Reduces breast cancer risk by up to 50%– Recommended for BRCA1/2 mutation carriers

after childbearing

• Primary Prevention–Lifestyle–Chemoprevention–Prophylactic surgery

• Secondary Prevention–Screening and early detection

Breast Cancer Prevention and Risk Reduction

Breast Cancer Risk ReductionBreast Cancer Screening(Secondary Prevention)

Early Detection of Breast Cancer: The Controversy Around Breast Imaging

Mammogram Ultrasound

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

American Cancer Society Recommendations for Breast

Cancer Screening 2010• Mammography: Annually beginning at age 40

and continuing as long as the woman is in good health

• Health Professional’s Exam: About every 3 years between 20-39, then annually

• Self-Exam: An option for women beginning at about age 20

• MRI: Women at high risk (> 20% lifetime) should get a mammogram and MRI yearly. Women at moderately increased risk (15-20%) should talk with their health care providers about MRI screening.

Screening Recommendations for Women with Inherited Susceptibility

for Breast Cancer• Breast Cancer Surveillance

– Monthly breast self-exams (begin by age 18)– Clinical breast exam every 6 months – Annual mammography (beginning age 25)– Consider annual MRI

• Ovarian Cancer Surveillance – Annually or semi-annually beginning at 25-35:

– Pelvic examination– Transvaginal ultrasound– Serum CA-125

Early DetectionImaging in High Risk Individuals

Sensitivity Specificity

Mammogram 33-40% 93-99.8%

Breast MRI 77-91% 81-97%

Breast MRI is better at detecting cancer thanmammogram in high risk women, but has a

higher rate of “false positives” e.g. biopsy of benign lesions

Kriege M et al. NEJM 2004;351:427-37 Kuhl CK et al. JCO 2005;8469-76.Warner E et al. JAMA 2004;292:1317-25 Leach MO et al. Lancet 2005;365:1769-78

Breast Cancer Prevention Strategies in Low- and Middle-

Income Countries

• Public awareness and education

• Health Professional education and training

• Individualized approaches based on patient risk

Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) Early Detection Strategies in Low- and

Middle-Income CountriesYip C et al, Cancer Suppl 113, 2008

• Basic level– Clinic visits for breast problems (history and exam)– Train health care providers in clinical breast exam (CBE)

• Limited level– Targeted educational outreach encouraging women to

seek attention for breast problems» Link to general health/women’s health programs

– Screening clinical breast exams for higher risk– Diagnostic imaging (mammogram and ultrasound) for

breast problems– ?Screening mammogram for select targeted group

Breast Health Global Initiative (BHGI) Early Detection Strategies in Low- and

Middle-Income CountriesYip C et al, Cancer Suppl 113, 2008

• Enhanced level– Regional awareness programs on breast health– Screening

» Mammography where resources sufficient» Every 2 years ages 50-69?» Every 12-18 months ages 40-49

– Image-guided biopsy• Maximal level

– National awareness campaigns– Annual screening mammography in women > 40– Consider other imaging technology in women at high

risk - Breast MRI

American Cancer Society: Major Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Over

Which Women Have Some Control• Exercise: Women can lower their risk of breast

cancer by exercising vigorously for 45-60 minutes on 5 or more days per week. Postmenopausal women can lower their risk with any level of physical activity performed on a regular basis.

• Weight: Obesity increases a woman’s risk of postmenopsaul (but not premenopausal) breast cancer, as does weight gain during adulthood

• Alcohol use: Women who drink just 2 alcoholic beverages a day face a 21% increase in their risk for breast cancer