Raloxifene Reduces Breast Cancer Risk As Well As Tamoxifen

Featured Article
Main Category: Women's Health / Gynecology
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopaedics;  Breast Cancer;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials
Article Date: 17 Apr 2006 - 12:00 PDT

email to a friend   printer friendly   view / write opinions   rate article

A study called STAR, Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene has shown, according to initial results, that Raloxifene is as effective as Tomoxifen in the prevention of invasive breast cancer among women who have a higher risk of the disease. Raloxifene is currently used to treat and prevent osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

(STAR = Study of Tamoxifen And Raloxifene)

Both Tamoxifen and Raloxifene lowered the risk of invasive breast cancer by approximately 50%.

Raloxifene had other protective benefits. Women who were prospectively and randomly assigned to take Raloxifene each day and were monitored for four years, when compared to women on Tamoxifen:

-- Had 36% fewer uterine cancers
-- 29% fewer blood clots

Tamoxifen and Raloxifene raise a woman's risk of developing blood clots.

The study looked at 19,474 postmenopausal women who had higher risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Some of the women were given 60mg of Raloxifene, others were given 20mg of Tamoxifen for a period of five years - selection was random.

The study is funded by the NCI (National Cancer Institute).

John E. Niederhuber, M.D., who is currently providing leadership at NCI, said "This optimistic news from STAR is a significant step in breast cancer prevention. These results, once again, demonstrate the critical importance of clinical trials in our efforts to establish evidence-based practices."

So, it seems Raloxifene is just as affective as Tamoxifen, without the level of serious side-effects Tamoxifen has. There are also indications that Raloxifene, unlike Tamoxifen, does not raise a woman's risk of developing a cataract.

The women in this trial are now being told which of the two drugs they were on. Those on Raloxifene can continue with the same treatment until the five years are concluded. Those on Tamoxifen can chose to switch to Raloxifene.

Link to STAR Trial

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today
Copyright: Medical News Today
Not to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today