Raloxifene Approved for Lowering Breast Cancer Risk in Postmenopausal Women

In September 2007, the FDA approved the selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) raloxifene (Evista) for reducing the risk for breast cancer in two groups of postmenopausal women:

• Those with osteoporosis

• Those at high risk for breast cancer

The SERM tamoxifen is the only other agent approved for breast cancer chemoprophylaxis. In women with a uterus, use of tamoxifen is associated with vasomotor symptoms, elevated risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE), and uterine effects (bleeding, growth of fibroids and endometrial polyps, and an elevated risk for endometrial cancer). Raloxifene is also associated with VTE and vasomotor symptoms; moreover, raloxifene has been associated with an increased risk for fatal stroke (Journal Watch Women’s Healt…