Do you know_

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in North American women. It is a leading cause of cancer death, second only to lung cancer. Simply being a woman and getting older puts you at risk for breast cancer.

What is your risk_

Risk for developing breast cancer is individual. It depends on a combination of lifestyle and personal traits known as "risk factors." The following risk factors are strongly related to the disease and can alert you and your physician to the need for careful follow-up:

• A family history of breast cancer; especially in your mother, sister(s) or daughter(s)
• Age - in general, the older you are, the greater your risk
• Never having borne a child
• Having your first child after age 30
• First menstrual period at an early age 
• A history of benign breast disease that required biopsies
• Other breast conditions: lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) or atypical hyperplasia.

What can you do if you are at risk_

Just knowing these risk factors for breast cancer will not establish your individual risk. But you can discuss your personal risk profile with an informed health professional at the STAR center nearest you. At that time, you will be counseled about your individual risk and told about measures you can take to help detect breast cancer at an early stage - such as regular mammograms and timely checkups. If your risk is high, you may be interested in completing a Risk Assessment Form and joining in STAR.

What is STAR_

In STAR, two drugs, tamoxifen and raloxifene, will be compared for their effectiveness in reducing the occurrence of breast cancer in postmenopausal women age 35 or older who are at increased risk for the disease. About 22,000 women will take part in this trial. They will be assigned by chance to receive either tamoxifen or raloxifene. Neither the women nor their doctors will know which drug they will be taking. Trained health professionals will closely monitor all participants through regularly scheduled health examinations during the trial.

Why tamoxifen and raloxifene_

Tamoxifen is a drug that has been studied for over 20 years and is approved by the United States (U.S.) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for reducing the incidence of invasive breast cancer in women at high risk for the disease. It has been suggested that raloxifene, though not as thoroughly researched, is similar to tamoxifen and may have the same ability. Both these drugs have been shown to protect bone in women. Raloxifene has been approved by the U.S. FDA for the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.

Why should you participate in STAR_

In this trial, your health will be carefully monitored by medical professionals committed to fighting breast cancer. Taking part in STAR is one way you can have an active role in your own future health. You will also be a partner in a study that is contributing to medical knowledge about ways to decrease the occurrence of breast cancer in future generations of women.