The effects of raloxifene on mammographic breast density: a review of clinical trials.
OBJECTIVE
Breast density is an independent risk factor for the development of invasive breast cancer (BC). It has been hypothesized that because raloxifene (RLX) has been shown to reduce BC risk, its use will result in reduced breast density.


METHODS
This article provides a review of seven clinical studies that examined the effects of RLX on breast density.


RESULTS
Overall, RLX did not increase or decrease mammographic breast density. This article provides a review of the various methods used to determine breast density in these RLX studies and offers a potential explanation as to why the studies failed to show an effect on mammographic density.


CONCLUSIONS
Presently, no clinical recommendations can be made with regard to RLX and its effects on breast density. To determine the effect of RLX on breast density, larger studies need to be conducted in postmenopausal women with high breast density at baseline who are at high risk for BC, with a standardized method of breast density measurement.
Pearman
Leny
L
Lilly USA, LLC, Indianapolis, IN 46285, USA. pearmanle@lilly.com
Kagan
Risa
R
Arsenault
Jody
J
Muram
David
D
D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018849:Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008327:Mammography; D008593:Menopause; D008875:Middle Aged; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012307:Risk Factors; D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016387:Women's Health
D020845:Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators; D020849:Raloxifene Hydrochloride