Cancer chemoprevention involves the use of synthetic and biologic agents as targeted therapies for disease prevention, reduction, or suppression. Mechanisms of blocking or suppressing cancer-related pathways include processes of carcinogenesis, chronic inflammatory responses, DNA modulation, and signal transduction. This column provides an update on pharmacologic agents and nursing considerations for chemoprevention.
Keywords: U.S. Food and Drug Administration; cancer; chemoprevention; pharmacologic agents.