Raloxifene, an osteoporosis drug, is effective at protecting high risk women from breast cancer. Research has found that raloxifene is as effective as Tamoxifen, the well known breast cancer drug – it is also safer.
You can read about this US nationwide study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The University of Pittsburgh study involved almost 20,000 menopausal and post-menopausal women who were at high risk of developing breast cancer.
It seems that raloxifene, like Tamoxifen, can lower a woman’s breast cancer risk by about 50%. Raloxifene treatment also causes fewer uterine cancers, blood clots, cataracts and cancers when compared to Tamoxifen.
Both Tamoxifen and raloxifene do other have side effects. Raloxifene is associated with muscle ache, bone ache, painful sexual intercourse and weight gain. Tamoxifen is associated with leg cramps and bladder control problems. However, women told researchers that raloxifene’s side effects do not have a negative impact on their general quality of life.
If all goes according to plan, the FDA should approve raloxifene for breast cancer within the next twelve months. This will be good for women as they will have more choice. It is thought that raloxifene will be more indicated for post-menopausal women who are at increased risk of breast cancer.
Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today