Gynaecological endocrinology: raloxifene: practice question

A OBG question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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OBG · Gynaecological endocrinology: raloxifene

Sample item

A 62-year-old woman has osteoporosis, a strong family history of breast cancer, no hot flushes and no previous thromboembolism. Which drug treats the bone and also lowers invasive breast cancer risk?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Raloxifene

Raloxifene is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that acts as an agonist on bone and an antagonist in breast and endometrium. It reduces vertebral fracture and invasive breast cancer risk, but raises thromboembolism risk and may worsen hot flushes.

Option by option

  • A. Nasal calcitonin

    Calcitonin has only modest effect on fractures and none on breast cancer.

  • B. Alendronate

    Alendronate reduces fractures without any effect on breast cancer risk.

  • C. Conjugated oestrogen with medroxyprogesterone

    Combined hormone therapy protects bone but increases breast cancer risk.

  • D. Raloxifene (correct)

    Correct. Raloxifene protects bone and lowers invasive breast cancer risk.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More OBG questions

Questions about this OBG question

What is the answer to this OBG question?

The best answer is D, Raloxifene. Raloxifene is a selective oestrogen receptor modulator that acts as an agonist on bone and an antagonist in breast and endometrium.

Why is "Nasal calcitonin" not the answer?

Calcitonin has only modest effect on fractures and none on breast cancer.

Why is "Alendronate" not the answer?

Alendronate reduces fractures without any effect on breast cancer risk.

Why is "Conjugated oestrogen with medroxyprogesterone" not the answer?

Combined hormone therapy protects bone but increases breast cancer risk.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Gynaecological endocrinology: raloxifene in OBG. It reduces vertebral fracture and invasive breast cancer risk, but raises thromboembolism risk and may worsen hot flushes.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Gynaecological endocrinology: raloxifene?

Learn management algorithms as steps: PPH, eclampsia, ectopic pregnancy. Then use the flashcards and the other OBG questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.