Women taking raloxifene in osteoporosis studies have seen a reduction in the incidence of breast cancer. The STAR trial will involve 22,000 postmenopausal women randomly assigned to take either tamoxifen or raloxifene daily for five years. Women will receive regular physical exams, mammograms and gynecological exams throughout the trial. Researchers are excited about the prospect of adding a new weapon to the arsenal of drugs for preventing and treating breast cancer. Women interested in participating in the STAR trial will undergo a simple risk assessment to determine if they are eligible.
Breast cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in American women.
The risk of developing breast cancer increases after age 35. The drug tamoxifen has been shown to prevent breast cancer in women at risk of developing the disease. The drug raloxifene, currently used to prevent osteoporosis, also may prevent breast cancer.