For Cancer Prevention, Both Drugs Good

Two drugs that help to prevent breast cancer are equally good options for high-risk women, a new study finds. The study looked at tamoxifen and raloxifene (Evista). Both drugs help to prevent breast cancer by blocking the effects of estrogen. This hormone fuels growth in most breast cancers. The new study included nearly 20,000 older women. All had a high risk of breast cancer because of family history, genes or other factors. They were randomly assigned to take one of the drugs for about five years. About half of the women took each drug. Doctors kept track of them for seven years. In that time, there were 310 cases of invasive breast cancer among women who took raloxifene. There were 247 cases among those who took tamoxifen. But the women on tamoxifen had more serious side effects. They developed more cases of uterine cancer, as well as abnormal growths in the uterus.