Breast cancer prevention: a summary of the chemoprevention trial with tamoxifen.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To review the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial, which is testing tamoxifen as a chemoprevention agent.

DATA SOURCES

Published articles and books; National Surgical Adjuvant Breast Project protocols.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Because tamoxifen has proven to be an effective hormonal agent in the treatment of all stages of breast cancer and because it has a low side effect rate, a national study is under way to determine its effects as a breast cancer preventive agent.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study will be available at the study's completion in 1997.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Providing patients with education, informed consent assistance, and help in adjusting to the drug's side effects and influences on quality of life.