Over 50,000 women each year are diagnosed with breast cancer.
In the past, women with who are considered moderate to high risk for getting breast cancer opt to have an annual screening to check for tumors. Many have also opted to undergo mastectomy surgery as a preventative measure.
Today, women with a family history of cancer will be able to be prescribed a daily pill to help prevent breast cancer.
Tamoxifen, an anti-oestrogen and raloxifene, a similar but alternative drug to its counter part will soon be the two drugs offered to help fight the breast cancer battle.
Most women who have already been diagnosed previously with breast cancer are probably firmaliar and have taken tamoxifen. Studies show that tamoxifen and three other drugs can reduce cancer by up to 40 percent in women who have a higher risk.
In an article released by The Independent, it was reported that the drug's side effects can include an increase risk for blood clots and tamoxifen specifically includes a greater risk of cancers in the womb.
But tamoxifen has been shown to block the female hormone, oestrogen, which many breast cancers rely on to develop. In return, the tamoxifen causes the cancer to slow its growth or stop growing altogether.
The second drug, raloxifene works in a similar way to tamoxifen but will only be used in older women who have already gone through menopause.
To read the full article from The Independent, click here