A new drug could prevent breast cancer altogether.

Beth Reipas is no stranger to cancer. Six of her closest family members have fought it.

"I would sort of embrace any option that's out there to help increase my odds of preventing getting it," said Beth.

Statistics say one in eight women will be struck with breast cancer in her lifetime. Because breast cancer is especially prevalent in her family, Beth joined a study on a new drug to prevent breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

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READ: Preventing Breast Cancer

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"It works by lowering the amount of estrogen in a woman's body," said oncologist Andrea Eisen.

Dr. Eisen says the drug, called Exemestane, lowers estrogen levels by more than 95-percent.

"Higher levels of estrogen have been linked to increased incidence of breast cancer," said Dr. Eisen.

The drug blocks a protein needed for estrogen production called aromatase.

"Some healthy people aren't interested in taking a pill every day, but those who are, are highly motivated," said Dr. Eisen. "They often have an experience of breast cancer in their family and don't want to be in that situation."

An earlier study in women who had already had breast cancer showed taking exemestane cut the risk of cancer in the other breast by 46-percent.

"I hope that this one is the new best thing," said Beth. "You have to go into this believing that this is going to be the drug that changes everything for so many women."

The international study is open only to postmenopausal women and is still enrolling patients. As with all drugs, some women might experience side effects. Those side effects include hot flashes, joint pain and osteoporosis.