PASEDENA, Calif., Oct 19, 2004 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- California researchers say the use of tamoxifen use in the treatment of breast cancer is not associated with an increased risk of stroke.

The study by Ann Geiger of Kaiser Permanente Southern California, summarized in the latest issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, also said chemotherapy use is associated with an increased risk of stroke, regardless of tamoxifen use. Tamoxifen has been used for the treatment of postmenopausal breast cancer since 1978.

To assess any relationship between the use of tamoxifen treatments for breast cancer and the risk of stroke, Geiger conducted a "nested case-control" study among women enrolled in a large health maintenance organization and diagnosed with breast cancer between 1980 and 2000.

That study suggested the use of tamoxifen was not associated with risk of stroke, either overall or when grouped by duration of use, dose of the drug, or how recently the drug was used.

However, use of chemotherapy -- but not a specific chemotherapy regimen -- was associated with an increased risk of stroke, regardless of whether tamoxifen was used.

Geiger found stroke was more common among women who had not yet completed menopause and among those who had a history of hypertension or diabetes requiring medication.

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