Jan. 25, 00 -- Anne Hofer loves looking at pictures of her daughter's wedding. Hofer's daughter was a widow with four children. But it wasn't just seeing that wedding that makes Ann thanksful. It's being here to see her family at all.

Ann Hofer, breast cancer study participant: "My mother and her sister both had mastectomies. they both had breast cancer. And then their mother and her sister both had breast cancer."

But Hofer is doing something about her increased breast cancer risk.

She's taking part in a national study called the S.T.A.R. trial, which stands for the Study of Tamoxifen and Raloxifene.

Dr. Powel Brown, Baylor Breast Center: "Both of those agents look like they block the effects of estrogen on breast cells. They probably stop breast cells from growing."

But these medicines have some side effects whichmay make some women reluctant to join.

Dr. Brown: "They can induce hot flashes,in adition, just like estrogen, they can put individuals at risk for blood blots."

But Hofer is willing to take those risks, and be part of the study.

Ann Hofer: "You can't lose, you're in one or the other, it's no placebo, it's no placebo, no blanks just all the same good medicine."

The star trial is looking for women who are postmenopausal, at least 35 years old and who have an increased risk for breast cancer, about 22 thousand women will be enrolled in centers throughout the u.s. canada and puerto rico.

The S.T.A.R. trial is a follow-up to a study of tamoxifen which was found to cut theincidence of breast cancer by half in participants. If you'd like to be part of the S.T.A.R. trial, you can call 713-798-1986. For more information on your cancer risk, you can call 1-800-4-cancer.