PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Performance status: ECOG 0-2 Menopausal status: Postmenopausal (surgical or natural) Life expectancy: At least 12 weeks Hematopoietic: Absolute granulocyte count at least 1,500/mm3 Platelet count at least 100,000/mm3 Hepatic: Bilirubin less than upper limit of normal (ULN) AST or ALT no greater than 2 times ULN Alkaline phosphatase less than 2 times ULN Renal: Creatinine no greater than 2 times ULN Other: No other malignancy within the past 5 years, except: Adequately treated basal or squamous cell skin cancer Carcinoma in situ of the cervix No other concurrent medical illness that would preclude compliance