Five years of tamoxifen reduces breast cancer recurrence and reduces heart disease.

Tamoxifen is hormonal treatment for estrogen responsive breast cancer.  Although tamoxifen is an older drug, and newer ways of blocking the activity or production of estrogen have been developed, a new study suggests that the benefits of taking it may go beyond cancer.  The study found that taking tamoxifen for the recommended five year period led to a reduction in deaths due to heart disease (heart attacks/strokes).