Breast Cancer Drug Recommended for Women at High Risk: The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a draft recommendation that doctors offer the breast cancer drugs tamoxifen or raloxifene to some women at high risk for breast cancer. These drugs lower risk of estrogen-fueled cancers by blocking estrogen’s effects on the body. The USPSTF suggested that women with an estimated 5-year breast cancer risk of 3% or greater might benefit from the drugs, which may themselves increase risk of blood clots, strokes and hot flashes. Breast cancer risk is estimated based on factors such as age, family history, BRCA positivity, previous breast lesions and dense breast tissue. The recommendation was ultimately finalized in September.

May
Vitamin D May Reduce Your Risk for Fibroids: A study published in the journal Epidemiology found that women with adequate levels of vitamin D were 32% less likely to develop uterine fibroids compared to women with a vitamin D deficiency. Sufficient vitamin D is anything above 20 nanograms per mL of blood. Researchers believe that an active metabolite of vitamin D works to inhibit the growth of fibroid cells and may reduce fibroid size. Fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor in women and are thought to occur in about 70% of all women. Though many never cause symptoms, they can lead to pain, bleeding, fertility problems and very rarely cancer.

June
U.S. Abandons Effort to Limit Sales of Morning-After Pill: The Obama administration abandoned an attempt to block over-the-counter sales of Plan B One-Step, a common form of emergency contraceptive pills. The decision meant that any woman or girl would be able to buy the pills without a prescription, regardless of age. The medication can be taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse and works to prevent pregnancy mainly by suppressing ovulation – the release of an egg from the ovaries.