Breast cancer is something that scares many women. Especially after menopause, that is, after the monthly menstruation stops, many people think about this risk. So, today we are talking about a drug that helps women who are at risk of this type of cancer reduce that risk. This drug is called Evista. The active ingredient in it is raloxifene. It is used to reduce the risk of breast cancer , as well as to reduce the risk of fractures caused by osteoporosis, a bone thinning disease that occurs after menopause.
What exactly is invasive breast cancer?
Let's first understand this simply. There are two main types of breast cancer. One is noninvasive cancer. In this, the cancer cells are only inside the milk ducts or milk-producing glands (lobules) of the breast, and do not go beyond those boundaries.
However, invasive breast cancer is a more serious condition. What happens here is that cancer cells break out of the milk ducts and glands and spread to the surrounding healthy breast tissue. From there, they can also spread to other parts of the body, such as the liver, lungs, and brain. This is the most dangerous condition. That is why it is very important to detect and treat such cancers early.
How does Evista reduce the risk of this cancer?
The drug Evista belongs to a class of drugs called ``SERM (Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulator)''. Simply put, these drugs act like the hormone estrogen in some parts of the body and act against the hormone estrogen in others.
As you may know, estrogen helps some types of breast cancer grow. Just like a plant needs water to grow. Evista works by attaching to estrogen receptors in breast tissue, blocking the space for the real estrogen hormone to attach there. This means that it stops the cancer cells from getting the estrogen message they need to grow.
But it's important to remember this: Evista is not a treatment for someone who already has breast cancer. It also isn't given to prevent cancer from coming back in someone who has already had cancer. It's only used to reduce the risk of cancer in women who have been diagnosed with it after menopause.
Are there any side effects of Evista?
Yes. Like any medication, Evista can have side effects. Some are minor, but there are also serious side effects that you should be aware of. Therefore, you should discuss both the pros and cons with your doctor before deciding to take this medication.
| Type of side effect | Description |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that require immediate attention | |
| Blood Clots | The risk of blood clots in the veins of the legs (Deep Vein Thrombosis) and lungs (Pulmonary Embolism) may increase. |
| Stroke | Women, especially those at risk of heart disease, may have a slightly increased risk of stroke. |
| Common, less serious side effects | |
| Physical discomfort | Leg cramps, joint pain, swelling of the limbs. |
| Other difficulties | Symptoms such as fever, hot flashes, sweating, insomnia, and vaginal dryness. |
So who is suitable to take this medicine?
This is a very important question. Evista is not a medicine for everyone. Your doctor will consider your personal health history and risk factors to determine if it is right for you. People who may benefit most from this medicine include:
- Women over 60 years of age: Because the risk of breast cancer increases with age.
- People who have had breast cancer in their family: especially a close relative like a mother or sister.
- People with a genetic predisposition: If tests have confirmed that they have genetic mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2.
- Those who have previously undergone a breast biopsy and have been diagnosed with a condition that could be a precursor to cancer, such as `lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS).`
- People with other risk factors: For example, older age at first birth, late menopause, etc.
After considering all of this, your doctor will accurately assess your risk.
Who should not take Evista?
Evista may do more harm than good to women with certain health conditions. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to use this medicine if you belong to the following groups:
- Women who are pregnant or hoping to become pregnant.
- Women who currently or previously have a blood clot in the legs, lungs, or eyes.
- Women who are pre-menopausal, meaning they are still having monthly periods.
- People taking a cholesterol-lowering drug such as Cholestyramine.
- Those taking other estrogen hormone treatments (supplemental estrogen).
What is the difference between Evista and Tamoxifen?
You may have also heard of a drug called Tamoxifen. It is also a drug in the SERM class. Studies have found that both drugs are equally effective in reducing the risk of breast cancer.
However, there are some key differences. Tamoxifen has been reported to be associated with a higher risk of uterine cancers than Evista. It has also been shown that Evista does not prevent noninvasive cancers such as ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), while Tamoxifen does.
The risks of blood clots and stroke are common to both drugs. Some studies say that the risk is slightly lower with Evista than with Tamoxifen, while other studies say that there is no significant difference.
So ultimately, the decision as to which of these two medications is best for you, or whether it's really necessary to take such a medication, is a decision that should be carefully considered after discussing all the pros and cons with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Evista (raloxifene) is a medication given to women who are at high risk of developing breast cancer after menopause to reduce that risk . It is not a cure for cancer.
- There is a risk of serious side effects such as blood clots and paralysis when using this medication.
- The decision to take this medication or not is a personal one that should be made after careful discussion with your doctor about your personal risk factors and health condition.
- Even after taking Evista, some women can still develop breast cancer, so it is important to continue regular breast self-exams and mammograms.
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