PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS: Age: 18 and over Sex: Female Menopausal status: Not specified Performance status: Not specified Life expectancy: Not specified Hematopoietic: Not specified Hepatic: Not specified Renal: Not specified Cardiovascular: No New York Heart Association class III or IV heart disease At least 14 days since prior myocardial infarction Pulmonary: No severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease Other: No galactosemia No mental illness or handicap