The results of a new government study show females may soon be able to fight bone loss as well as breast cancer with a single drug.

The Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene, or the STAR trial, suggests the drug, Raloxifene, which has already been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to fight osteoporosis, could greatly reduce the risk of breast cancer in post-menopausal females.

“Raloxifene, or brand name is Evista, is right now only approved by the FDA for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopausal women,” said Diana Mertens, an NIU nursing professor. “It works by blocking selected estrogen receptors thereby decreasing bone loss and increasing bone density, or strength.”

However, with the recent findings of the drug’s capabilities, the FDA is expected to approve Raloxifene for the prevention of breast cancer as well, according to the National Cancer Institute.

“[Raloxifene] works in this case by blocking the estrogen receptor that stimulates tissue growth in the breast,” Mertens said. “It may be useful therefore in breast cancers that are estrogen sensitive.”

Currently, the best medicine for breast cancer prevention is the drug Tamoxifen, approved by the FDA in 1998.

NIU nursing professor Eunice Lasky said the STAR trial compared the two drugs. The study found that the side effects of Raloxifene are much less then Tamoxifen, which could increase the popularity of this new drug.

Mertens said Raloxifene’s side effects include a greater potential for blood clots, as well as common symptoms of menopause.

However, for many females, that risk doesn’t override the potential benefits of taking the drug.

“I would definitely take the drug if I thought I was at risk for breast cancer later in life,” said Allison Fisch, a freshman accountancy major. “Especially since it could also reduce my risk for osteoporosis as well, it would be something I would want to try.”