Women in Scotland who have a high risk of getting breast cancer are to be offered a drug that could radically reduce their chances of developing the disease.
The preventative treatment tamoxifen will be available to those with a family history of the cancer, it has been announced. Taking the drug can reduce the risk of developing the cancer by up to 50%, recent studies have found.
Women who have two or more breast cancer sufferers in their family are to be offered the treatment for five years, the Scottish Government said.
Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “We know that the earlier cancer is detected the easier it is to treat and the better the chance of survival. But prevention really is the best cure.
“It is fantastic that we can now find out who is most at risk of cancer and stop it from developing. The way we deal with cancer now has changed significantly, thanks to new technology and continued improvement and investment in services over the years people are now living longer with cancer.”
Women who are worried they may be at risk because of a family history of breast cancer should contact their GP for advice, he added. People who have a 10% risk of having a faulty gene linked to the cancer are also to be offered genetic testing.
James Jopling, Scotland director at Breakthrough Breast Cancer, welcomed the announcement.
“It is so important that people have an array of options available to them to manage their own breast cancer risk,” he said.
“Although they represent only a very small proportion of the population, for those at highest risk it is vital that their options go beyond screening or surgery through the use of preventative medicine.”