Task Force to Evaluate Vitamins, Pharmacologics as Cancer Prophylaxis

ROCKVILLE, Md—Two cancer-related topics are among four new evaluations the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) has asked the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to make. The task force is an independent panel of preventive health experts that evaluates the effectiveness of a wide range of clinical preventive services.

The AHCPR has asked that the group address chemoprophylaxis for breast cancer, including use of tamoxifen (Nolvadex) and related drugs, and to evaluate vitamin supplementation as a means of preventing cancer and heart disease. The Agency also asked the panel to assess screening for bacterial vaginosis in pregnancy and developmental screening in children.

Among the eight previously studied topics for which AHCPR wants new evaluations are skin cancer screening and postmenopausal hormone therapy.