I am appalled to think that thousands of women will begin to take one of two medications that have a significant risk profile with the intent of preventing a certain type of invasive breast cancer. (which is a current news story)
Research exists to suggest that tamoxifen and Evista are both able to prevent some cases of breast cancer. The newest research involves a head to head study of the two. In the study from Pittsburgh, it is reported that 50% of the women on the medications did not get invasive breast cancer during the study. Evista was somewhat more effective than the older tamoxifen.
Both drugs carry the risk of clotting, stroke and uterine cancer.
I would like to see a study that compares the same group of women and includes weight loss and exercise as preventative measures.
I cannot imagine taking one of these medicines as a preventative measure when the chances of getting the disease are not that high and the chances of dying from it are even lower.
This is similar in my mind to the osteopenia situation. Taking a drug to treat a condition that is pre pre risk factor or some such thing.
Now if the tens of thousands of women with a genetic or familial risk for breast cancer( like myself) were to go on these medicines, the drug companies that own them would see a substantial growth in profits.
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