The WHI involves over 161,000 women who are participating in a set of clinical trials or an observational study. The clinical trials are designed to test promising but unproven preventive measures for heart disease, breast and colorectal cancer, and osteoporosis. In addition to the trials of estrogen alone and estrogen plus progestin, other trials are studying a low-fat eating pattern and calcium/Vitamin D supplementation. WHI is sponsored by NHLBI in collaboration with four other components of the NIH the National Cancer Institute, the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the National Institute on Aging, and the Office of Research on Women's Health. Note: Wyeth-Ayerst Research provided the medication (active hormones and placebo) for the estrogen plus progestin study.
To interview Dr. Rossouw, contact the NHLBI Communications Office at (301) 496-4236; to interview Dr. Stefanick, call the Stanford University News and Public Affairs Office at (650) 723-6911; to interview Dr. Anderson, call the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Media Relations Office at (206) 667-5095; and to interview Dr. Ford, call the NCI Press Office at (301) 496-6641.