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Initial results of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR), show that the drug Raloxifene, currently used to prevent and treat osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, works as well as Tamoxifen in reducing breast cancer risk for postmenopausal women at increased risk of the disease. Wilshire Oncology Medical Group participated in this clinical trial, one of the largest breast cancer prevention trials ever conducted. STAR enrolled 19,747 postmenopausal women who were at increased risk of the disease. At Wilshire Oncology Medical Group, 23 women from our community were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive with 60 mg of Raloxifene (Evista ®) or 20 mg of Tamoxifen (Nolvadex ®) daily for five years. The trial is coordinated by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a network of cancer research professionals, and is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health. In STAR, both drugs reduced the risk of developing invasive breast cancer by about 50 percent. In addition, within the study, women who were prospectively and randomly assigned to take Raloxifene daily, and who were followed for an average of about four years, had 36 percent fewer uterine cancers and 29 percent fewer blood clots than the women who were assigned to take Tamoxifen. Uterine cancers, especially endometrial cancers, are a rare but serious side effect of Tamoxifen. Both Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are known to increase a women’s risk of blood clots. “In 1998, the landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial showed that Tamoxifen could reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women by nearly 50 percent,” said Norman Wolmark, M.D., NSABP chairman. “Today, we can tell you that for postmenopausal women at increased risk of breast cancer, Raloxifene is just as effective, without some of the serious side effects known to occur with Tamoxifen.” |
“Although no drugs are without side effects, Tamoxifen and Raloxifene are vital options for women who are at increased risk of breast cancer and want to take action,” said Linda Bosserman, M.D., F.A.C.P., and President of Wilshire Oncology Medical Group. “We are proud to have participated in this clinical trial, where women from our local community contributed to these findings and reduced their risk for breast cancer. For many women, Raloxifene’s benefits will outweigh its risks.” The STAR researchers also tracked known menopausal side effects that occur with both drugs and monitored the participants’ quality of life. The data show that side effects of both drugs were mild to moderate in severity, and quality of life was the same for both drugs. Sarah Meastas from Pomona said, “I was delighted to be part of something to help other women and myself – it was wonderful. I had a few side effects, but they are gone now and it was worth it.” Sisters, Danielle Kalem and Yvonne Wagner from San Dimas both participated in the trial, as their Mother had bread cancer. “It was the right thing to do. We did it as a family,” said Wagner – “I felt privileged to be a part of it,” said Kalem. The maker of Tamoxifen, AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals, Wilmington, Del., and the maker of Raloxifene, Eli Lilly and Company, Indianapolis, Ind., provided their drugs and matching placebos for the trial without charge to participants. Eli Lilly and Company also gave NSABP support to defray recruitment costs at the participating centers and to help local investigators conduct the study. Wilshire Oncology Medical Group hosted a luncheon on September 9, 2006 at Walter’s Restaurant in Claremont to honor the local women who participated in this worthwhile study. |