Introduction: The breast cancer prevention is based on mastectomy hormonal deprivation (surgical or chemical) and the use of drugs acting on cell signalization pathways, which provoke the cancerization (these drugs are not officially authorized in France).
Material and methods: Analysis of the literature selected from the Medline base on the keywords: breast cancer; chemoprevention; prophylactic surgery; tamoxifene; raloxifene; BRCA.
Results: Four trials on the chemoprevention by tamoxifene show a reduction in the breast cancer incidence from 22% up to 33% in the treated patients, limited to oestrogen-dependant cancers, especially in the populations at risk high (histological or genetic) even in the event of concomitant hormonal replacement therapy. The benefit seems continue in time. Raloxifene and tamoxifene effects are comparable with bone benefits and a less risk of endometrial cancer for raloxifene, but the risk of venous thrombosis is still persisting. The breast prophylactic surgery is effective mainly in case of genetic elevated risk when it is practiced in the young age, and requires a patient agreement (the decision needs to follow the patient advice after complete information). The prophylactic ovariectomy has a positive impact on the mammal risk even in the high genetic risk women.
Conclusion: The breast cancer prevention requires a better selection of the patients, an adaptation of the type of prevention taking account of the balance risks and benefits (mammals and extramammals) before a clinical use in routine.