In the study, 5,408 hysterectomized women were randomized to tamoxifen (20 mg
per day) or placebo. After 46 months of follow-up, "...the postulated protective
effects of tamoxifen are not yet apparent," the investigators report. The only
significant benefit of tamoxifen therapy was observed in a subgroup of women who
were concurrently taking hormone replacement therapy, in whom tamoxifen
prophylaxis significantly reduced the risk of developing breast cancer.
In the study group as whole, women randomized to tamoxifen had significantly
increased rates of vascular events and hypertriglyceridemia, compared with
controls, an "unexpected finding," according to the researchers.
http://www.wcn.org/news/98/Jul/cl07108b.asp
