OBJECTIVES:~Primary~Evaluate the reduction of the incidence of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with the BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation treated with letrozole.~Secondary~Determine the reduction of the incidence of in situ breast cancer in these women.~Determine the recurrence rate of local or metastatic disease in women who have had breast cancer.~Determine the incidence of non-breast cancer, especially ovarian, colon, or endometrial cancer.~Assess the tolerance of this drug in terms of lipid, cardiovascular, and bone effects.~Determine the quality of life of women treated with this drug.~Identify serological markers that allow early diagnosis of hereditary predisposition for breast cancer.~Conduct pharmacogenetic analysis.~Identify biomarkers or genes involved in the occurrence of cardiovascular and rheumatologic metabolic aromatase inhibitors.~Study the phenotypic characteristics of cancers that occur during treatment with letrozole, in particular hormonal markers (estrogen and progesterone receptor) and expression profiles of resistance to therapy.~OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Patients are stratified according to nature of mutation (BRCA1 vs BRCA2), oophorectomy in premenopausal state (yes vs no), and prior breast cancer (yes vs no). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms.~Arm I: Patients receive oral letrozole once daily.~Arm II: Patients receive oral placebo once daily. Treatment in both arms continues for 5 years in the absence of unacceptable toxicity or development of cancer or recurrent disease.~Blood samples are collected periodically for pharmacogenetic studies and analysis of biomarkers or genes associated with hereditary predisposition for breast cancer, toxicities, and resistance to therapy.~After completion of study treatment, patients are followed for 5 years.
RATIONALE: Letrozole may prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.~PURPOSE: This randomized phase III trial is studying letrozole to see how well it works compared with a placebo in preventing breast cancer in postmenopausal women with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation.