Preventing Breast Cancer

Jennifer Matthews: Beth Reipas is no stranger to cancer. Six of her closest family members have fought it. Beth Reipas: I would sort of embrace everything that's out there, any options that's out there to help increase my odds of preventing getting it. Jennifer Matthews: Because breast cancer is especially prevalent in her family, Beth joined a study on a new drug to prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Andrea Eisen: It works by lowering the amount of estrogen in a woman's body Jennifer Matthews: Dr. Eisen says the drug, called exemestane lowers estrogen levels by more than 95%. Andrea Eisen: Higher levels of estrogen have been linked to increased incidence of breast cancer. Jennifer Matthews: The drug blocks a protein needed for estrogen production called aromatase. Andrea Eisen: Some healthy people aren't interested in taking a pill every day, but those who are, are highly motivated. They often have an experience of breast cancer in their family and don't want to be in that situation. Jennifer Matthews: An earlier study in women who had already had breast cancer showed taking exemestane cut the risk of cancer in the other breast by 46%. Beth Reipas: One tiny little pill a day. Jennifer Matthews: Beth is optimistic about the research. Beth Reipas: I hope that this one is the new best thing. You have to go into this believing that this is going to be the drug that changes everything for so many women. Jennifer Matthews: Beth knows the drug doesn't guarantees she won't get breast cancer, but she says she'll do anything to lower the odds. This is Jennifer Matthews reporting.