Breast cancer prevention drug subsidised by PBS

A preventative medicine which could reduce the risk of developing breast cancer has been subsidised by the federal government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS).

Tamoxifen, also known as Nolvadex, is the first preventive treatment for breast cancer to be listed on the PBS.

“It can reduce your chances of breast cancer by 30 to 40 percent… it’s pretty amazing,” health minister Sussan Ley said during an announcement today.

“In listing Tamoxifen from today, this is going to be a key plank in our armour against breast cancer,” Ms Ley added.

Kelly-Anne Phillips, a medical oncologist and breast cancer expert at Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, said the announcement was “very important” to many women.

“It’s relevant to a very large number group of women…the number of women at risk of breast cancer in Australia would more than twice fill the MCG,” she said.

The treatment will benefit an estimated 9000 women with a moderate to high risk of developing breast cancer, and help patients on concessions save more than $200 a year.

“It’s really exciting news for women at high risk of breast cancer,” Kate MacDermid, who has taken Tamoxifen for five years said.

Ms MacDermid has a family history of the disease and said the preventative drug was a “great” alternative to surgery.

“It’s hugely increased my peace of mind,” she said.

The drug has been used to treat breast cancer for decades, but more recent clinical trials have found it can help with prevention.

Breast cancer accounts for around 12 percent of all cancers diagnosed in Australia each year.

In 2015 there were around 16,000 new breast cancer diagnoses and around 3,000 deaths.