Breast Cancer Cure or Side effects Disaster?

On Monday, April 6, 1998, federal researchers announced Tamoxifen, the cancer fighting drug also can  reduce the risk of breast cancer by 45 percent among high risk women.  

Dr. Richard Klausner, MD acknowledged "This is a real advance, but it is no magic bullet.  Only through sanctioned research will we find prevention's that are even more effective and with fewer side effects."  He went on to indicate that the benefits of the drug, also carry some danger, including the possibility of a tripling of risk for life-threatening blood clots in the lungs.  He said "There are important and serious side effects from this drug.  The message is not simple" indicating that each woman at risk must make the discision themselves. 

He indicated that only through careful discussions with their doctors, their personal health history, and the degree of risk of breast cancer were the present guidelines.

Allegheny University professor and scientific director of the study Dr. Bernard Fisher noted "the first time in history that we have evidence that breast cancer cannot only be treated but also prevented". 

The costs of a daily dosage of the drug ranges from $80 to $100 a month, said Klausner.

Even more startling was the fact that a side benefit indicated by the study was lowered risk in older women of fractures of the back, neck or wrist due to brittle bones, or osteoporosis.

The percentage of women at increased risk goes up to 2.7 percent for ages 40 to 44; to 7.1 percent for 45-49; 9.3 percent for 50-54; and to as high as 12.5 percent for women ages 55 to 59.

Klausner emphasized that the final effects of Tamoxifen may still be years away.   The study lasted only six years, and some women took the drug for even less time.

He went on to say "This is the first imperfect, but very encouraging step," toward drugs that could protect people from lung, rectal, bowel or prostate cancer.   Approximately 85 other drugs are being tested for this preventative effect.

The BCPT study (Breast Cancer Prevention Trial) indicated that women taking the drug had 45 percent fewer cases of invasive breast cancer compared to those taking a placebo: 85 cases vs. 154.  Patients on Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) had fewer noninvasive breast cancers as well: 31 vs. 59.

Other side effects with Tamoxifen were hot flashes, vaginal discharge, blood clots in major veins and the lungs.  For more information Contact the National Institutes of Health or the National Cancer Institute. See the InfoJustice Links Page.