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Press ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Major Breast Cancer Clinical Trial Still Taking Enrollees At New Hampshire Oncology-HematologyHOOKSETT, NH – As the final recruitment days of the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene (STAR) clinical trial wind down, women at high risk for breast cancer are still able to enroll at New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology, PA. The clinical trial, the largest breast cancer prevention study in North America, has enrolled some 18,000 women to date; another 1,000 are needed to complete the study. Researchers predict that women will know by 2006 which drug, tamoxifen or raloxifene, prevents breast cancer better and with fewer side effects. More than 500 sites in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico are participating in the clinical trail. STAR includes postmenopausal women who are at increased risk for breast cancer due to a family history of breast cancer and a combination of personal medical factors. These factors are used to estimate a woman’s individual risk for developing the disease in the next five years and in her lifetime. "This is an important study for women in New Hampshire and around the world," said Robert Friedlander JR, MD, a medical oncologist with New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology, PA, and the principal investigator for NHOH on the study. "We have been working with the Dana- Farber Cancer Institute on this clinical trial over the past five years and have enrolled more than 15 women in our practice for STAR." STAR is designed to determine whether the osteoporosis prevention and treatment drug raloxifene (Evista®) is as effective as tamoxifen (Nolvadex®) in reducing breast cancer risk. It is the follow-up study to the landmark Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT), published in 1998, which led to tamoxifen being approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for risk reduction in women at increased risk for developing breast cancer. NHOH also participated in the BCPT trial as an affiliate of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. STAR began recruiting women in July 1999. To enroll in the study, women can either be referred by a primary care provider, or self-refer by calling the NHOH STAR line at (603) 622-4978. Once a woman decides to participate, she is randomly assigned to receive either 20-mg tamoxifen or 60-mg raloxifene daily. She also obtains regular follow-up examinations until the results of the trial are known. "Women who enroll in the trial see an oncologist and a nurse at NHOH," said Margaret White, NHOH clinical trials nurse. "All nine of our physicians see women enrolled in the study in all five of our NHOH offices These women also continue their regular physician visits with their primary care providers. One benefit is they actually are getting extra screening for breast cancer." STAR is conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP), a not-for-profit cancer research group, and is funded by the National Cancer Institute. To calculate your breast cancer risk or to find more information about STAR, visit www.breastcancerprevention.com. New Hampshire Oncology-Hematology physicians provide care for patients at offices located in Hooksett, Concord, Exeter, Laconia and Derry. -30- |
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