Breast Articles From 2023: Informing Practice Across the Continuum of Care.

With new investigations and clinical trials in breast oncology reported every year, it is critical that surgeons be aware of advances and insights into the evolving care paradigms and treatments available to their patients. This article highlights five publications found to be particularly impactful this past year. These articles report on efforts to select the minimal effective dose of tamoxifen for prevention, to challenge the existing age-based screening guidelines as they relate to race and ethnicity, to refine axillary management treatment standards, to optimize systemic therapy in multidisciplinary care settings, and to reduce the burden of breast cancer-related lymphedema after treatment. Taken together, these efforts have an impact on all facets of the continuum of care from prevention and screening through treatment and survivorship.

Initiation and tolerance of chemoprevention among women with high-risk breast lesions: the potential of low-dose tamoxifen.

PURPOSE: High-risk lesions (HRLs) of the breast are an indication for chemoprevention, yet uptake is low, largely due to concerns about side effects. In 2019, low-dose (5 mg) tamoxifen was demonstrated to reduce breast cancer risk with improved tolerance. We describe chemoprevention uptake in an academic clinic before and after the introduction of low-dose tamoxifen. METHODS: Females age ≥ 35 with HRLs who established care from April 2017 through January 2020 and eligible for chemoprevention were included. Rates of chemoprevention initiation before and after the introduction of low-dose tamoxifen (pre-2019 vs. post-2019) were compared with chi-squared tests. Logistic regression identified demographic and clinical factors associated with chemoprevention initiation. Kaplan-Meier methods determined the rates of discontinuation. RESULTS: Among 660 eligible females with HRLs, 22.7% initiated chemoprevention. Median time from first visit to chemoprevention initiation was 54 days (interquartile range (IQR): 0-209); 31.0% (46/150) started chemoprevention > 6 months after their initial visit. Chemoprevention uptake was not significantly different pre-2019 vs. post-2019 (21.2% vs. 26.3%, p = 0.16); however, post-2019, low-dose tamoxifen became the most popular option (41.5%, 34/82). On multivariable analyses, age and breast cancer family history were significantly associated with chemoprevention initiation. Discontinuation rates at 1 year were lowest for low-dose tamoxifen (6.7%) vs. tamoxifen 20 mg (15.0%), raloxifene (20.4%), or an aromatase inhibitor (20.0%). CONCLUSION: In this modern cohort, 22.7% of females with HRLs initiated chemoprevention with 31.0% initiating chemoprevention > 6 months after their first visit. Low-dose tamoxifen is now the most popular choice for chemoprevention, with low discontinuation rates at 1 year.

Risk of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer patients receiving aromatase inhibitors vs. tamoxifen: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in women worldwide. In order to reduce the risks of its recurrence, endocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors are commonly administered. Despite having a similar efficacy in preventing breast cancer recurrence, these drugs differ in terms of instigating cardiovascular morbidities. Recent randomized controlled trials and cohort studies provide inconclusive evidence of the cardiovascular risks associated with the administration of these endocrine therapies. This present review and meta-analysis evaluates the comparative cardiovascular adverse event outcomes in breast cancer patients receiving tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. To evaluate the comparative cardiovascular adverse outcomes, such as venous thromboembolism, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction and stroke in patients with breast cancer receiving tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. METHODS: A systematic search of the academic literature was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines across five databases, including Web of Science, EMBASE, CENTRAL, Scopus, and MEDLINE. A random-effect meta-analysis was conducted to compare the cardiovascular adverse events (i.e. venous thromboembolism, heart failure, angina, myocardial infarction, stroke) in breast cancer patients treated with tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: From 993 studies, 20 eligible studies were identified, with 174,142 female breast cancer patients (mean age: 67.4 ± 3.8 years). A meta-analysis revealed insignificantly (p > 0.05) higher risks of venous thromboembolism (Odds ratio, 95% CI: 1.70, 0.91-3.18) in patients treated with tamoxifen as compared to aromatase inhibitors. We also observed insignificantly higher risks of stroke (0.93, 0.45-1.91), angina (0.77, 0.12-4.59), myocardial infarction (0.74, 0.30-1.79), and heart failure (0.81, 0.22-2.91) in patients receiving aromatase inhibitors as compared to tamoxifen. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: The study provides evidence regarding the comparative cardiovascular adverse outcomes between breast cancer patients consuming tamoxifen and aromatase inhibitors. The study reports an insignificant increase in the events of stroke, angina, myocardial infarction, and heart failure in breast cancer patients treated with aromatase inhibitors as compared to tamoxifen. The study also reports that tamoxifen treatment is associated with an insignificant increase in the events of venous thromboembolism as compared to treatment with aromatase inhibitors.

Treatment of Men with Central Hypogonadism: Alternatives for Testosterone Replacement Therapy.

Central hypogonadism is a clinical condition, characterized by sexual symptoms and low serum testosterone levels, due to an impaired function of the hypothalamus or pituitary gland. Testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the standard treatment for hypogonadism, but it has some disadvantages. TRT is not a good option in men wishing to preserve fertility, nor in men with (a high risk of) prostate cancer, polycythemia, thrombophilia and severe cardiovascular disease. In this review, we discuss alternative treatments for central hypogonadism. If reversible causes are present, non-pharmacological interventions can be therapeutic. Gonadotropins are a good alternative to TRT when fertility is desired in the near future though they require frequent injections. Clomiphene citrate and tamoxifen seem to be a safe alternative for the treatment of functional central hypogonadism in men, as several studies reported a significant increase in testosterone levels with these drugs. However, their use is off-label and data supporting the efficacy of clomiphene citrate and tamoxifen on hypogonadal symptoms are insufficient. For this reason, clomiphene citrate and tamoxifen should not be used in routine clinical practice to treat sexual symptoms in men with central hypogonadism.

Beyond estrogen: advances in tissue selective estrogen complexes and selective estrogen receptor modulators.

Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) are synthetic non-steroidal agents which have variable estrogen agonist and antagonist activities in different target tissues. Tamoxifen is an anti-estrogen in the breast used for treatment and prevention of breast cancer, with estrogen agonist activity in the uterus. Raloxifene prevents and treats osteoporosis and prevents breast cancer, and can be safely combined with vaginal but not systemic estrogen. The tissue selective estrogen complex combines conjugated equine estrogens (CEE) with the SERM bazedoxifene (BZA). The five Selective Estrogen Menopause and Response to Therapy studies, with up to 2 years of data, demonstrated that CEE/BZA 0.45 mg/BZA 20 mg improved vasomotor symptoms and vulvovaginal atrophy, prevented bone loss, and was neutral on breast tenderness, breast density, with breast cancer incidence similar to placebo. Protection against estrogen-induced endometrial hyperplasia and cancer was found, with similar amenorrhea rates to placebo. Ospemifene is approved to treat dyspareunia, with potential benefits on bone and the breast, while lasofoxifene is being developed to treat resistant estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer in women. Estetrol is an estrogen synthesized exclusively during pregnancy by the human fetal liver and initially considered a weak estrogen, but it appears to have dual weak estrogenic/anti-estrogenic features.

Adjuvant tamoxifen but not aromatase inhibitor therapy decreases serum levels of the Wnt inhibitor dickkopf-1 while not affecting sclerostin in breast cancer patients.

PURPOSE: Endocrine therapies, including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors, are indispensable for the treatment of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)- and/or progesterone-positive breast cancer. Whereas tamoxifen displays partial ER agonistic effects in bone, aromatase inhibitors increase bone resorption and fracture risk. The Wnt inhibitors dickkopf-1 (DKK-1) and sclerostin negatively impact bone formation and are considered targets for the treatment of bone disorders. However, the effect of endocrine therapies on serum DKK-1 and sclerostin levels in patients with primary breast cancer remains elusive. METHODS: Serum DKK-1 and sclerostin levels were measured at primary diagnosis as well as 3-5 days and 12 months after surgery in a cohort of 45 pre- and postmenopausal women with primary estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer treated with adjuvant tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors. RESULTS: Mean baseline levels ±SD for DKK-1 and sclerostin were 29.7 ± 14.6 and 27.1 ± 16.2 pmol/l, respectively. A significant negative correlation of DKK-1 levels and age was observed (r = -0.32; p < 0.05), but not for sclerostin. Of note, DKK-1 levels were significantly lower in peri- and postmenopausal women compared to premenopausal patients (-47%; p < 0.05). In tamoxifen-treated patients, DKK-1 levels were reduced by 35% (p < 0.01) one year after surgery but remained unaltered in patients treated with aromatase inhibitors. No significant changes were observed for sclerostin. CONCLUSION: DKK-1 serum levels were reduced in breast cancer patients receiving an adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen, possibly contributing to its bone-protective properties.

Consensus: soy isoflavones as a first-line approach to the treatment of menopausal vasomotor complaints.

The association between an increased uptake of isoflavones and a reduced frequency of menopausal hot flushes was first described in 1992, based on a lower incidence of hot flushes in countries with a high consumption of soy. Since then, numerous clinical trials with various sources of isoflavones including soy and red clover have been presented, with practically all of the studies with adequate design delivering an outcome in favour of isoflavone supplementation. An in-depth risk assessment (EFSA 2015) concludes that the amply available human data does not indicate any suspected harmful effects from a potential interaction of isoflavones with hormone-sensitive tissues in the mammary gland, the uterus and the thyroid gland. Safety was ascertained with long-term intake of up to 150 mg isoflavones per day ingested for the duration of at least 3 years. Moreover, high isoflavone intake was found to have preventive effects with respect to breast cancer. Clinical findings indicate potential benefits of isoflavone exposure even during breast cancer treatment with tamoxifen or anastrozole.

Hormonal therapy in oncology: a primer for the radiologist.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to provide a comprehensive imaging review of the common hormonal therapies used in oncology and the side effects associated with them. CONCLUSION: Commonly used hormones in oncology include corticosteroids, somatostatin analogues, progestins, gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and antagonists, antiandrogens, aromatase inhibitors, and selective estrogen receptor modulators. Familiarity with these hormones and their side effects can help radiologists to be vigilant for the side effects and complications of these agents.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: Treatment Update and Current Trends.

Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) traditionally has been managed through various combinations of surgery, radiation, and endocrine therapy. However, concern for under- or over-treatment of DCIS has led many surgeons to question historically standardized approaches and instead begin to tailor treatment based on individual prognostic indicators. Recent and ongoing clinical trials have investigated the potential for active surveillance in DCIS, the possibility of eliminating radiation therapy (RT), and ways in which adjuvant systemic therapy may be refined. This review will summarize the current trends in the treatment of DCIS, as well as highlight the most pertinent clinical trials that are shaping management today.

Pilot randomized controlled trial of a program to enhance experience and adherence with adjuvant endocrine therapy among women with non-metastatic breast cancer: 12-month quantitative results.

PURPOSE: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces recurrence risk after hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, but non-adherence is common. We pilot-tested SOIE, a program to enhance AET experience and adherence, to assess its acceptability, feasibility, and effects on psychosocial precursors of AET adherence. METHODS: We conducted a 12-month pilot randomized controlled trial among women who had a first AET prescription. Intervention group received SOIE while control group received usual care. Psychosocial factors from the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) (intention - primary outcome -, attitude, subjective norm, behavioral control), additional constructs (AET knowledge, social support, coping planning), impact of AET services received, and adherence were measured by questionnaires at baseline, 3-month, and 12-month endpoints. Group patterns were compared using repeated measures analyses with generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: A total of 106 women were randomized (participation = 54.9%; intervention n = 52; control n = 54; retention = 93.8%). Among SOIE women, ≥ 90% received the program components and were satisfied. Both groups scored high on adherence intentions and group patterns over time were not statistically different. In the intervention group, AET knowledge and coping planning with side effects increased (group-by-time p-value = .002 and .016), a higher proportion reported that AET services received helped them take their AET (p < .05) and have a consistent daily intake (p = .01). CONCLUSION: SOIE is feasible and acceptable for survivors with an AET. SOIE did not significantly impact adherence intentions but was beneficial for other program outcomes and daily intake. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: SOIE may represent an encouraging avenue to enhance supportive care and empower survivors with managing AET.

Expression of both estrogen receptor-beta 1 (ER-ß1) and its co-regulator steroid receptor RNA activator protein (SRAP) are predictive for benefit from tamoxifen therapy in patients with estrogen receptor-alpha (ER-α)-negative early breast cancer (EBC).

BACKGROUND: Roles of Estrogen Receptor-beta 1 (ER-ß1) and its co-regulator Steroid Receptor RNA Activator Protein (SRAP) in breast cancer remain unclear. Previously, ER-ß1 and SRAP expression were found positively correlated in breast cancer and, therefore, expression of these two molecules could characterize cancers with a distinct clinical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ER-ß1 and SRAP expression was determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in tissue microarrays from a randomized, placebo-controlled trial (NCIC-CTG-MA12), designed to determine the benefit of tamoxifen following chemotherapy in premenopausal early breast cancer (EBC). Expression was dichotomized into low and high using median IHC scores. Relationships with survival used Cox modeling. RESULTS: In the whole cohort, ER-ß1 and SRAP were not prognostic. However, high ER-ß1 and SRAP significantly predicted tamoxifen responsiveness [overall survival, interaction test, P = 0.03; relapse-free survival (RFS), interaction test, P = 0.01]. Stratification by ER-α-status found predictive benefit only in ER-α-negative cases. The difference in RFS between tamoxifen and placebo was greater in patients whose tumors expressed both high SRAP and ER-ß1[hazard ratio = 0.07; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.01-0.41; P = 0.003] versus those with low SRAP or ER-ß1 (interaction test, P = 0.02). The interaction test was not significant in ER-α-positive cohorts. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence that both ER-ß1 and SRAP could be predictive biomarkers of tamoxifen benefit in ER-α-negative premenopausal EBC.

The beneficial effects of tamoxifen on arteries: A key player for cardiovascular health of breast cancer patient.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Over the past few decades, advances in cancer detection and treatment have significantly improved survival rate of breast cancer patients. However, due to the cardiovascular toxicity of cancer treatments (chemotherapy, anti-HER2 antibodies and radiotherapy), cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have become an increasingly important cause of long-term morbidity and mortality in breast cancer survivors. Endocrine therapies are prescribed to reduce the risk of recurrence and specific death in estrogen receptor-positive (ER +) early breast cancer patients, but their impact on CVD is a matter of debate. Whereas aromatase inhibitors and luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs inhibit estrogen synthesis, tamoxifen acts as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), opposing estrogen action in the breast but mimicking their actions in other tissues, including arteries. This review aims to summarize the main clinical and experimental studies reporting the effects of tamoxifen on CVD. In addition, we will discuss how recent findings on the mechanisms of action of these therapies may contribute to a better understanding and anticipation of CVD risk in breast cancer patients.

Evaluating human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 roles in the efficacy of Tamoxifen treatment in breast cancer, a systematic review.

PURPOSE: Hormone therapy with Tamoxifen is an effective treatment that can decrease recurrence rate and mortality. Numerous molecular mechanisms can modify the response to Tamoxifen. The objective of this study was to determine Tamoxifen efficacy on patients' recurrence and mortality rates, according to the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status. METHODS: In this meta-analysis of published studies, relapse and death rates were measured in both HER2 negative and positive patients treated with Tamoxifen. Besides, the relative risk of treatment with Tamoxifen compared to no Tamoxifen treatment was evaluated in both HER2 positive and negative patients. RESULTS: There was an increased risk of recurrence in HER2 positive patients who received Tamoxifen compared with HER2 negative ones (RR = 1.63, p value < 0.001). Tamoxifen treatment is associated with decreased relapse rate (RR = 0.70, p value < 0.001); however, it did not effect on HER2 positive ones (RR = 1, p value = 0.99). CONCLUSION: According to the analysis result, the relapse rate in breast cancer patients who were treated with Tamoxifen depends on the HER2 situation. Despite the limited sample size, it is revealed that Tamoxifen can decrease the relapse rate only in HER2 negative patients.

New Avenues for Treatment and Prevention of Drug-Induced Steatosis and Steatohepatitis: Much More Than Antioxidants.

Drug-induced lipid accumulation in the liver may induce two clinically relevant conditions, drug-induced steatosis (DIS) and drug-induced steatohepatitis (DISH). The list of drugs that may cause DIS or DISH is long and heterogeneous and includes therapeutically relevant molecules that cannot be easily replaced by less hepatotoxic medicines, therefore making specific strategies necessary for DIS/DISH prevention or treatment. For years, the only available tools to achieve these goals have been antioxidant drugs and free radical scavengers, which counteract drug-induced mitochondrial dysfunction but, unfortunately, have only limited efficacy. In the present review we illustrate how in vitro preclinical research unraveled new key players in the pathogenesis of specific forms of DISH, and how, in a few cases, proof of concept of the beneficial effects of their pharmacological modulation has been obtained in vivo in animal models of this condition. The key issue emerging from these studies is that, in selected cases, liver toxicity depends on mechanisms unrelated to those responsible for the desired, primary pharmacological effects of the toxic drug and, therefore, specific strategies can be designed to overcome steatogenicity without making the drug ineffective. In particular, the hepatotoxic drug could be given in combination with a second molecule intended to selectively antagonize its liver toxicity whilst, ideally, potentiating its desired pharmacological activity. Although most of the evidence that we discuss is from in vitro or animal models and will need to be further explored and validated in humans, it highlights new avenues to be pursued in order to improve the safety of steatogenic drugs.

Pharmacogenomics of breast cancer: highlighting CYP2D6 and tamoxifen.

PURPOSE: To review recent pharmacogenomics studies on breast cancer patients undergoing tamoxifen therapy, highlighting how our knowledge on cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) can help to guide the development of adjuvant therapies for these patients. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted. Articles reporting findings pertaining to the effect of CYP2D6 on the therapeutic efficacy of tamoxifen, those reporting how targeting CYP2D6 could inform tamoxifen-based therapy development, and those on the tamoxifen effects on cell lines and animal models were included in the review. RESULTS: With CYP2D6 being the primary enzyme for tamoxifen metabolism, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in this gene were one of the determinants in the rate of tamoxifen metabolism, thereby potentially having an effect on the efficacy of tamoxifen-based therapies. Our review indicates the potential effectiveness of targeting these SNPs, including those for the CYP2D6*10 allele (c. 100C > T), in modifying the level of tamoxifen metabolism. These findings suggest the importance of pharmacogenomics research in our understanding of the efficacy of adjuvant therapies. However, the involvement of multiple enzymes in tamoxifen metabolism, dietary factors, ethnic differences in gene frequencies, and patients' compliance to tamoxifen therapies in studies do present challenges in pharmacogenomics research. CONCLUSIONS: Pharmacogenomics could play important roles in mediating the advancement of tamoxifen-based adjuvant therapies. Research efforts should be directed towards the exploration of further SNPs of CYP2D6 that affect tamoxifen metabolism, as well as epigenetic changes in CYP2D6, enabling the design of precision medicine and confirming clinical validity in the use of pharmacogenomics for tamoxifen.

Bone health care in women with breast cancer.

The aim of this article is to analyze and critically appraise the literature regarding optimal bone health care in women with breast cancer and, more specifically, to present (1) the causes of bone loss in breast cancer patients, (2) the appropriate screening for osteoporosis and fracture risk estimation, (3) optimal prevention and therapeutic strategies for osteoporosis and fractures, (4) the role of antiresorptive agents as adjuvant therapy for the prevention of bone metastases and increase of overall survival, and (5) current data on the possible use of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) in these patients. The objective is to provide a sound pathophysiological background along with evidence-based and practical recommendations for physicians managing such women.

Thromboembolic, cardiovascular and overall mortality risks of aromatase inhibitors, compared with tamoxifen treatment: an outpatient-register-based retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Tamoxifen (TAM) and aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapies have been associated with increased risk of thromboembolic and cardiovascular events, respectively, in addition to other side effects. This study analysed the risk of these events and the overall survival (OS) benefit in breast cancer patients treated with AI, compared with TAM-treated patients, in a large population-based cohort. METHODS: This observational cohort study included women diagnosed with breast cancer and treated with TAM or AI. Data were extracted from primary care records in a population database (SIDIAP, System for the Development of Research in Primary Care). Incidence rates of study outcomes are reported. Survival analyses included Kaplan-Meier estimation and Cox proportional hazards models. Sensitivity analysis was carried out, using Fine and Gray models to account for competing risk of death. Confounding was minimized using propensity score adjustment and inverse probability weighting (IPW) adjustment. RESULTS: Data from 3082 postmenopausal women treated with TAM, and 18,455 treated with AI, were available. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] for AI users, compared with TAM group, were 0.93 (95%CI 0.69-1.26) for thromboembolic events (TEEs); 1.13 (95%CI 0.79-1.63) for cardiovascular events, and 0.76 (95%CI 0.70-0.82) for mortality. Additional analyses using competing risk analysis had similar results, while IPW adjustment showed a potential risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) [2.26 (95%CI 1.02-4.97)] in AI-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS: AI users had >20% lower all-cause mortality compared with TAM users, without increasing risk to experience cardiovascular and TEEs. This would locate AI therapy on the first line in clinical practice. Thus, AI might be the most preferable option in adjuvant hormonal therapy choice.

The Potential Role of Nutraceuticals as an Adjuvant in Breast Cancer Patients to Prevent Hair Loss Induced by Endocrine Therapy.

Nutraceuticals, natural dietary and botanical supplements offering health benefits, provide a basis for complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Use of CAM by healthy individuals and patients with medical conditions is rapidly increasing. For the majority of breast cancer patients, treatment plans involve 5-10 yrs of endocrine therapy, but hair loss/thinning is a common side effect. Many women consider this significant, severely impacting on quality of life, even leading to non-compliance of therapy. Therefore, nutraceuticals that stimulate/maintain hair growth can be proposed. Although nutraceuticals are often available without prescription and taken at the discretion of patients, physicians can be reluctant to recommend them, even as adjuvants, since potential interactions with endocrine therapy have not been fully elucidated. It is, therefore, important to understand the modus operandi of ingredients to be confident that their use will not interfere/interact with therapy. The aim is to improve clinical/healthcare outcomes by combining specific nutraceuticals with conventional care whilst avoiding detrimental interactions. This review presents the current understanding of nutraceuticals beneficial to hair wellness and outcomes concerning efficacy/safety in breast cancer patients. We will focus on describing endocrine therapy and the role of estrogens in cancer and hair growth before evaluating the effects of natural ingredients on breast cancer and hair growth.

Women's Beliefs on Early Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: A Theory-Based Qualitative Study to Guide the Development of Community Pharmacist Interventions.

Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) taken for a minimum of five years reduces the recurrence and mortality risks among women with hormone-sensitive breast cancer. However, adherence to AET is suboptimal. To guide the development of theory-based interventions to enhance AET adherence, we conducted a study to explore beliefs regarding early adherence to AET. This qualitative study was guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). We conducted focus groups and individual interviews among women prescribed AET in the last two years (n = 43). The topic guide explored attitudinal (perceived advantages and disadvantages), normative (perception of approval or disapproval), and control beliefs (barriers and facilitating factors) towards adhering to AET. Thematic analysis was conducted. Most women had a positive attitude towards AET regardless of their medication-taking behavior. The principal perceived advantage was protection against a recurrence while the principal inconvenience was side effects. Almost everyone approved of the woman taking her medication. The women mentioned facilitating factors to encourage medication-taking behaviors and cope with side effects. For adherent women, having trouble establishing a routine was their main barrier to taking medication. For non-adherent women, it was side effects affecting their quality of life. These findings could inform the development of community pharmacy-based adherence interventions.