'U' cancer specialists see hope in study

As promising findings in breast cancer prevention make news across the country, the University medical community is watching on with hopefulness and skepticism.

The National Cancer Institute announced Monday the results of a study that found the drug tamoxifen prevented breast cancer in almost half of the study's participants, all of whom were at high risk of getting the disease.

Max Wicha, director of the University Hospitals' Comprehensive Cancer Center, contributed to the study by enrolling 35 local women who have strong genetic histories of breast cancer.

He said he was delighted to be part of the national research, which studied 13,000 patients, because of the enormous potential of the findings.

"One hundred eighty thousand cases of breast cancer are diagnosed each year in this country," Wicha said. "If you could cut those numbers in half, you can imagine the impact that would have on women."

But the study found the drug has potential side effects, such as an increased chance of developing uterine cancer or blood clots, that make tamoxifen unable to claim the label of "miracle drug," said Stephen Ethier, associate director of breast oncology at the University Hospitals Comprehensive Cancer Center.

"This drug is not a panacea," Ethier said. "It is not something everybody should take.

"A woman with no family history of breast cancer and a good diet probably would not want to use it since there are no other factors to indicate that she's at risk," Ethier said.

Wicha warned patients to be prudent in their use of the drug due to its possible negative side effects.

"However, it is a small number compared to the ones it prevented from getting breast cancer," Wicha said.

Wicha said these findings will primarily benefit older women. It is not yet known what effects the drug will have on pregnant women.

But Ethier said high-risk women who are in college should still seek information about breast cancer options.

"Young women with a strong genetic history of breast cancer should be consulting someone at a high-risk clinic," Ethier said. "They need to get educated about the number of options available."

In order to inform students about the drug, University Students Against Cancer will be printing information about the study and its findings in its upcoming newsletter.

"Our job is to publish information about the drug and encourage people to speak with someone at the cancer center to decide if this is an option for them," said LSA senior Craig Cucinella, president of USAC.

The findings coincided with USAC's Cancer Awareness Week. Cucinella said he hopes that through the vigils and forums the group held this week, students are able to see that there is a support network available on campus.

"Cancer is something that affects college students' lives," Cucinella said.

LSA first-year student Beth Houtrow, whose mother survived breast cancer, said she would consider using the drug after doing some research on it.

"I definitely would use the (new drug) if I researched and felt safe with it," Houtrow said. "There's a long history of cancer ... not necessarily breast cancer, in my family."

Although Wicha said he is excited about all of the attention the study is receiving, he said more research on the drug needs to be done.

"I think its a breakthrough, but we need more follow-up to make sure." Wicha said it is important that the study's findings be made known because "you can't wait too long if you can help people right now."

Wicha said researchers are working to develop drugs similar to tamoxifen that don't have the harmful side effects.

04-09-98