Researchers tracked death records and coroner reports to uncover 247 pregnancy-associated deaths between 1993 and 1998, including 50 murders. While domestic violence is a concern, the study couldn't actually prove the murders and pregnancies were related. But the researchers said too few deaths among pregnant or new mothers are reported to health officials to really know the biggest risks to such women. The breast cancer drug tamoxifen also can cut the risk of heart disease, a new study confirms. And the researchers say cholesterol levels drop with tamoxifen use.
Breast cancer is the third leading cause of death in women.
More than 180,000 women will be diagnosed this year, and more than 40,000 will die from it, according to the American Cancer Society. Tamoxifen is used to treat women with the disease and those at risk. One study showed that women with at least one risk factor for breast cancer reduced their risk by 45 percent by taking the drug. Tamoxifen, which acts as a replacement for estrogen , is thought to discourage the growth of mutant breast cells. Previous studies also have shown that women who take tamoxifen are from 15 percent to 60 percent less likely to die from heart disease than those who don't take the drug.