Minor possible side effects include hot flashes and mild leg cramps. Evaluating One's Risk Even with the risks associated with raloxifene and tamoxifen, Alison Estabrook, M.D., chief, Division of Breast Disease Services of the Department of Surgery and director of the newly established Comprehensive Breast Center at St. Luke's-Roosevelt, says that for many women the rewards could outweigh the risks. The risks are pretty small with raloxifene and tamoxifen, but you have to be able to get benefits from it. Many women are confused about what constitutes a high risk for breast cancer. The level of risk for breast cancer depends upon a woman's age, her medical history, her family's medical history, and her reproductive history.
Age is the number one risk factor.
Other risk factors include a family history of breast cancer in multiple people in multiple generations, a history of breast and ovarian cancer in your family or a previous breast biopsy which showed atypical cells. If a woman is concerned about having a high risk for breast cancer, Dr. Estabrook advises that she see a genetics counselor for a formal risk assessment.