An extensive study scheduled to begin next year is being touted as what will become the largest breast cancer study ever. The announcement was made by President Clinton and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton Wednesday.
Government researchers plan to test the drugs tamoxifen and raloxifen to determine their effects on breast cancer prevention. Tamoxifen has previously been used to treat breast cancer, however the drug has several dangerous side-effects, including an increased risk of uterine cancer.
Raloxifen, a drug currently used by people with osteoporosis, may have similar benefits to breast cancer treatment and prevention that tamoxifen has without as many side effects.
Over 20,000 post-menopausal women will be treated by either tamoxifen or raloxifen in the study.
President Clinton addressed attendees of the White House ceremony saying, “I want you to know that I believe that we are within reach of genuine cures and genuine prevention strategies of stunning impact.”
The recently-approved spending bill for the upcoming year includes an 11 percent increase in breast cancer research funding.
In America, breast cancer will strike an estimated 178,000 women this year, killing almost one-fourth of them.
