Bone drugs may help prevent cancer

[Forkboy]

SAN ANTONIO - New results from a large study suggest that bone-building drugs such as Fosamax and Actonel might help prevent breast cancer.

Women who already were taking these medicines when the study began were nearly one-third less likely to develop breast cancer over the next seven years. That’s compared with women who were not on such pills.

The study by itself is not proof that these drugs can prevent cancer. More definitive studies should give a clearer picture in a year or two. Until then, doctors say women should take these drugs only if they have osteoporosis or other bone problems.

Doctors are excited, however, because the results fit with other research last year that found one of these bisphosphonate drugs cut the chances that cancer would come back in women already treated for the disease.

http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2009/12/11/bone_drugs_may_help_prevent_cancer/