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Breast Cancer Screening and Prevention

A drug that prevents osteoporosis may cut a woman's risk of breast cancer in half


The initial results of a study comparing the drugs tamoxifen, a drug taken to prevent breast cancer, and raloxifene, a drug used to treat and prevent osteoporosis, has shown that both work equally well in reducing a woman's risk of breast cancer. In a study conducted by the National Cancer Institute, which included almost 20,000 women at an average age of 58, researchers found that both tamoxifen and raloxifene cut a woman's risk of breast cancer in half. However, tamoxifen has been linked to serious side effects, raising the risk of life-threatening blood clots and uterine cancer. On the other hand, the researchers discovered that the women taking raloxifene had 36 percent fewer uterine cancers and 29 percent fewer blood clots. Since many women at high risk for breast cancer refuse to take tamoxifen because of the side effects, raloxifene seems to be a safer choice. "Although no drugs are without side effects, tamoxifen and raloxifene are vital options for women who are at increased risk of breast cancer and want to take action, said Dr. Leslie Ford, associate director for clinical research at the NCI's Division of Cancer Prevention. "For many women, raloxifene's benefits will outweigh its risks in a way that tamoxifen's benefits do not.

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