Hormone-Blocking Drug Reduces Breast Cancer Risk

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - There are significant developments in the battle to prevent breast cancer.

According to a new report called the aromatase inhibitors, they actually cut the risk of developing breast cancer by more than half without the side effects like side effects that have reduced enthusiasm for other preventive drugs.

Now this report is not an answer, in the sense that it is a conclusive study, but what it shows is these groups of medications actually seem to have an effect particularly for women at higher risk for breast cancer and those who have had breast cancer in the past.

Now we do have medications such as tamoxifen and raloxifen that are quite effective, but this is yet another option. One word of caution, any time there is something new, people get very excited but the bottom line here is, you have to match the medication that is best for you and your particular condition.

Reported by Medical Editor Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW News radio