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antiestrogen (AN-tee-ES-truh-jin)

 A substance that prevents cells from making or using estrogen (a hormone that plays a role in the formation of female sex characteristics, the menstrual cycle, and pregnancy). Antiestrogens may stop some cancer cells from growing and are used to prevent and treat breast cancer. They are also being studied in the treatment of other types of cancer. An antiestrogen is a type of hormone antagonist.



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