From the Guidelines
I believe you may be referring to "Evista" (raloxifene), not "evaston," which is used for breast cancer prevention in high-risk postmenopausal women. Evista is typically prescribed at 60 mg once daily and works by selectively blocking estrogen receptors in breast tissue while acting like estrogen in bone tissue. This medication reduces the risk of invasive breast cancer in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or at high risk for breast cancer, as shown in studies such as the MORE trial 1. It's not used to treat existing breast cancer but rather to prevent it. Common side effects include hot flashes, leg cramps, and increased risk of blood clots, as noted in the CORE trial 1. Patients should take it at the same time each day with or without food. It's essential to consider the risks and benefits of raloxifene, as discussed in the American Society of Clinical Oncology clinical practice guideline 1. Raloxifene should be discussed as an option to reduce the risk of invasive breast cancer, specifically ER-positive breast cancer, in postmenopausal women who are at increased risk of breast cancer or with lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) 1. Regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider are necessary to monitor for side effects and effectiveness. The most favorable risk-benefit profile is seen in women at greatest risk of developing breast cancer, as noted in the guideline 1. Discussions with patients by health care providers should include both the risks and benefits of raloxifene, including the potential for increased risk of blood clots and the importance of regular monitoring 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
Medication for Breast Cancer "Evaston"
There is no direct mention of "Evaston" in the provided studies. However, based on the information available, we can discuss the medications used for breast cancer treatment:
- Aromatase inhibitors, such as exemestane, are used in the treatment of breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women with estrogen receptor-positive early-stage breast cancer 2, 3.
- Exemestane is a steroidal aromatase inhibitor that has been shown to be effective in the treatment of breast cancer, including as a first-line treatment in metastatic breast cancer and as part of sequential adjuvant treatment following tamoxifen 2, 3.
- Other aromatase inhibitors, such as anastrozole and letrozole, are also used in the treatment of breast cancer, and have been shown to have a significant advantage over tamoxifen in terms of time to progression and survival 4.
- The choice of medication for breast cancer treatment depends on various factors, including the subtype of breast cancer, the stage of the disease, and the patient's preferences 5.
Types of Breast Cancer and Treatment Options
- Breast cancer can be categorized into three major subtypes based on the presence or absence of molecular markers for estrogen or progesterone receptors and human epidermal growth factor 2 (ERBB2): hormone receptor positive/ERBB2 negative, ERBB2 positive, and triple-negative 5.
- The treatment options for breast cancer vary depending on the subtype, with hormone receptor-positive tumors typically receiving endocrine therapy, ERBB2-positive tumors receiving ERBB2-targeted therapy, and triple-negative tumors receiving chemotherapy alone 5.
- Aromatase inhibitors, such as exemestane, are commonly used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, particularly in postmenopausal women 2, 3.