The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current, April 06, 1998, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

    Frontiers
Monday Aprili,^^
They're here
Study may lift hopes fi
breast cancer prevents
BRANDON BOLLOM/The Battauon
Thad Williams, a senior wildlife ecology major, pets one of the two penguins, Penny and Pete, from Sea World of
Texas, in the basement of Reed McDonald Friday morning. The penguins toured Texas to celebrate the 10th an
niversary of Sea World in Texas.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) —A new study shows that
a drug used for years to treat breast cancer patients
also may prevent the disease from occurring, The
Philadelphia Inquirer repotted Sunday.
The National Cancer Institute, a federal agency
that coordinates the nation’s cancer programs, said
its six-year study was the first ever to show that a
drug can reduce the incidence of breast cancer.
The study showed that the drug tamoxifen cut
cancer rates by nearly half among women who were
considered at risk of getting the disease.
The institute recently mailed letters an
nouncing the breakthrough to the
13,000 women in the United States
and Canada who participated in
the study, the newspaper re-
ported. ■
“This is now the first study in ^ ■ I
the world to show that a drug
can reduce the incidence of
breast cancer,” the letter stated.
The results of the study —
one of the largest cancer preven
tion trials ever undertaken — are
to be made public Wednesday.
Researchers would not discuss
the results with the newspaper.
“I’m just thrilled. Wow!” Patri
cia Lorah, 45, of Reading, told the
Inquirer on Saturday after receiv
ing her letter. “My mother and
grandmother died of breast can
cer. This is almost overwhelming."
Women at risk of getting the
disease because of family history,
precancerous breast lesions or age
were randomly assigned to five years on
either a placebo pill or tamoxifen.
The drug, made by Wilmington, Del.-based
Zeneca Pharmaceuticals, is widely used to pre
vent the spread or return of breast cancer.
According to the institute, the drug reduced
the rate of expected breast cancers from 1 in 130
women to 1 in 236 during the study, the Inquirer
reported.
However, tamoxifen also has been associated
with increased risks for cancer in the uterine lin
ing and for blood clots in the lungs.
Those risks prompted The National Women’s
isnington to
Health Network
study.
“If this turns out to be a goodrisi
for some women, that will be good
Cindy Pearson, executive director
Women’s I lealth Network.
But it is “imperative for rese
women what ... tf
benefit. Did anj
tamoxifen?”
Tamoxifen !
brea
iey know about
omen die of am
into estrogen rea
ancer cells andloJ
Is, preventing tr.J
ig and dividirj
In 1994, thetnJ
porarily suspends
congressional heJ
I four uterind cancej
another study dbg
cer treatment usia
ifen. Universityofi
surgeon BernardFi>J
dinator ol the preyed
also was investigate
ports that he was ski
dress researchpn
That did
women from
study.
“I never consul
ping out. My tho
more like, ‘Maybe
child’s life and
other people’s,’
49, of Newtown,
for at least two
Researchers
The participants
more years,
still are analyzing the da
ical recommendations for using tamoxiie
vent cancer are still being developed,at
to the letter.
The women now can go to the270meii
ters participating in the study to find out
they were taking tamoxifen or the pi
“I’m hoping I was on tamoxifen, but
placebo arm, I am going to ask my physii
mean tamoxifen because I really believe in
Wilson, 48, of North Wales, told the biqiiiw.
Jef
the
de
ag
sti
res
bn
co
SOI
nn
Sir
th<
far
IMS (SEED
ilsatTgre I
No one knows these tests better
than we do, No matter for which
test you're preparing, we offer
the most extensive and
complete course available.
Call us to Find out how we can help
YOU qet the score you need.
THE
PRINCETON
REVIEW
696-9099 WWW.REVIEW.COM
iBattauon
Tiffany Inbody, Editor in Chief
Helen Clancy, Copy Chief
Brad Graeber, Visual Arts Editor
Robert Smith, City Editor
Jeremy Furtick, Sports Editor
Jeff Webb, Sports Editor
James Francis, Aggie life Editor
Mandy Cater, Opinion Editor
Ryan Rogers, Photo Editor
Chris Huffines, Radio Producer
Sarah Goldston, Radio Producer
Dusty Moer, Web Editor
Aaron Meier, Night News Editor
News: The Battalion news department is managed by students at
Texas A&M University in the Division of Student Publications, a unit of
the Department of Journalism. News offices are in 013 Reed
McDonald Building. Newsroom phone: 845-3313; Fax: 845-2647; E-
mail: batt@unixtamu.edu; Website; http://battalion.tamu.edu
Advertising: Publication of advertising does not imply sponsorship or
endorsement by Hie Battalion. For campus, local, and national display
advertising, call 845-2696. For classified advertising, call 845-0569.
Advertising offices are in 015 Reed McDonald, and office hours are 8
a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Fax 845-2678.
Subscriptions: A part of the Student Services Fee entitles each Texas
A&M student to pick up a single copy of The Battalion. Mail subscrip
tions are $60 per school year, $30 for the fall or spring semester and
$17.50 for the summer. To charge by Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or
American Express, call 845-2611.
The Battalion (ISSN #1055-4726) is published daily, Monday through
Friday during the fall spring semesters and Monday through Thursday
during the summer session (except University holidays and exam peri
ods) at Texas A&M University. Second class postage paid at College
Station, TX 77840. Postmaster: Send address changes to The
Battalion, 015 Reed McDonald Building, Texas A&M University,
College Station, TX 77843-1111.
COLLEGE REPUBLICANS
ANNUAL ELECTIONS
Tuesday, April 7, 1998
8:30 P.M. - Rudder 301
All current members are eligible
to vote and to run for office.
For additional information contact
Richard W. Stadelmann, Advisor
845-5606 or e-mail
<coll_republicans(2)hotmail.com>
jon W. Bayless
*V1N ROSENMJNIl
we n
CHIEMA ° QtbrSx Systems
Jon W. Bayless will be speaking on his personal
and professional keys to success
Engineering Ifour Life
The IHemoria! Student Center
♦ ELS*
Tuesday, April 8, 1998
7:30 P.M. • MSC Forsyth Gallery
Free Admission
aw* Want#
Executive lecture Series
33
Sramewr CMmett! h
msc
iV
W \ \ ...this ain’t
p \ \ ...this am t your
DW high school’s
f talent show
1998
you can forget to vote,
but
don't forget to buy your
Variety Show Tickets
on sale now at Rudder box office
The Battalion
Classified
Advertising
• Easy
• Affordable
• Effective
For information, call
Parents’Weekend, April 17, 1998
7:30 p.m. at Rudder Auditorium
for more information call 845-1234
presented by
TdwrT;
4k
Tr
ippi ic
EBtJNT
Campus Tux Party
atWingsn’More
Across from the campus on Texas Ave.
' April 16
from 11am to 4pm
DJ, Barb Flares
will bo broadcasting //Ve 11-1
Visit Al’s Mobile Tuxedo Store for on-site rental reservations
until 4pm. It's easy & fun...or corns to tho Harvey Rd. store.
Outfitting Aggies Since 1957
FORMAL
WEAR
1IOO Harvey Rd.
next to Post Dak Mall 409 m G93 m 0S47
WA\%
See store for details. Some restrictions apply, expires 4/25/98
Register ta Win\
the Ultimate Ring Dance Date |
• A Tuxedo from Al’s Formal Wear
• Dinner at Outback Steakhouse
• Flowers by University Flowers
• Hair by Dana at Couffieurs
• Nails by Nails Magnifiq