Tamoxifen, Raloxifene Reduce breast cancer risk about 50%

Study reports says that "Tamoxifen, Raloxifene both drugs help to reduce breast cancer risk in half.". Two drugs taken by women at high risk for breast cancer - tamoxifen and raloxifene - both reduce the risk of the disease by about 50% in high-risk post-menopausal women while they are taking the medications, researchers said Monday.

The benefits of raloxifene fall off more quickly once women stop taking them, however, and the increased benefits of tamoxifen come at a price: a higher risk of uterine cancer, blood clots and cataracts - although the absolute risks of all three remain low.

The basic message is that women can confidently take either drug to sharply reduce their risk of dying from breast cancer.