Study: 2 good choices to prevent breast cancer

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE AP Medical Writer

(AP) - A new study finds that two drugs are both good options for helping prevent breast cancer in older women at higher risk of developing the disease.

Doctors say tamoxifen (ta-MOCKS-ah-fen) can cut the risk of developing breast cancer in half. A newer drug called raloxifene, (ra-LOCKS-ah-feen) sold as Evista, does nearly as well and is safer. Women on Evista had fewer cases of uterine cancer and other serious side effects.

Tamoxifen is widely used to treat breast cancer, and Evista is sold for treating osteoporosis. Doctors hope the new results will lead more high-risk women to try the drugs for cancer prevention.