Treating Multiple Myeloma: The Cause for Optimism

Abstract

process. “People in the top 5%–10% [for breast cancer risk] are identified, contacted by breast health specialists, and counseled about their options,” she said. To the extent that cost is a disincentive, the Affordable Care Act will, starting next year, require new health insurance plans to cover chemoprevention with no copayment or deductible in high-risk women. That typically means a 5-year breast cancer risk of 1.67% or higher, which includes nearly all American women older than 55 years. Meanwhile, European researchers are investigating reduced doses of tamoxifen to alleviate some side effects. Per Hall, M.D., Ph.D., of the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, was among the researchers who showed that a change in breast density might be a useful surrogate for therapeutic effect. Now his group is about to launch another trial to learn whether women who take lower doses of tamoxifen can achieve the same benefit with fewer side effects. The group plans to randomize 1,000 Swedish women to receive placebo or one of four daily doses