"most people would decline taking raloxifene" unless they have a high risk of breast

[R.B.]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/health...cerdrug13.html



A look at breast cancer drug's risks

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

The drug raloxifene helped prevent breast cancer but raised the risk of blood clots and fatal strokes, a new study suggests.

Doctors have been testing the drug as an alternative to tamoxifen for preventing breast cancer and as a way to lower heart disease risks.

Based on the new study's results, "most people would decline taking raloxifene" unless they have a high risk of breast cancer, said Dr. Linda Vahdat, director of breast cancer research at Weill Cornell Medical College.

The study involved 10,101 postmenopausal women in the United States and 25 other countries.

Results were published in today's New England Journal of Medicine.

Many of the authors consult or work for Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly & Co., which makes raloxifene and paid for the study. The drug is sold as Evista for treating the bone disease osteoporosis, but the company is seeking approval to market it for breast cancer prevention.