NEW ORLEANS - The Tulane Cancer Center is seeking postmenopausal women at increased risk of developing breast cancer for enrollment into STAR (Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene) breast cancer prevention trial. STAR seeks to determine which medication prevents breast cancer better and with fewer side effects.

Tulane is one of about 500 sites in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico conducting the STAR trial, which enrolls postmenopausal women who are at increased risk for breast cancer due to a combination of factors, such as age, family history of breast cancer, personal medical history, age at first menstrual period, and age at first childbirth. Participants in the STAR trial are randomly assigned to take either tamoxifen (Nolvadexyyyyý) or raloxifene (Evistayyyyý) daily for five years and will have regular follow-up examinations. All women will receive one of the medications free of charge. Neither the participants nor the local researchers will know which drug the participants are taking.

The trial, conducted by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project, recently announced that it could be completed with fewer women. Only 19,000 women will be needed, rather than the 22,000 originally planned, and about 17,000 women have volunteered to date.

"We are excited to be working on a study that may offer so much hope to women who have an increased risk of breast cancer," says Roy S. Weiner, director of the Tulane Cancer Center and principal investigator of the STAR clinical trial at Tulane. "It is good to hear that the results of the study will be available sooner than originally thought."

The original estimate for participants was based on volunteers having at least a 1.7 percent chance of developing invasive breast cancer within five years. But so far STAR volunteers have had about twice the minimum risk - on average, a 3.5 percent chance, Weiner explains. "This greater risk means that fewer women are required to see prevention effects from the drugs."

The researchers hope to complete enrollment next summer, and study results may be available by 2006.

Postmenopausal women who are interested in participating in the STAR trial may call the Tulane Cancer Center Office of Clinical Research at 504.988.6121 for more information.