Tamoxifen brings a better option for breast cancer
Tamoxifen is a hormone treatment used to treat breast cancer that has a hormone receptor. It significantly lowers the risk of cancer recurrence and invasive malignancy. Some people consume tamoxifen to reduce their chance of getting breast cancer. A daily oral drug of tamoxifen inhibits the growth and spread of cancer cells by preventing the use of oestrogen and progesterone.
- What is tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen is a drug that treats hormone receptor-positive or hormone-positive breast cancer. Hormone-positive breast cancer is a type of cancer that needs estrogen and progesterone to grow. Oncologists use tamoxifen to help prevent breast cancer in people over 35 with a high risk of breast cancer. Tamoxifen is FDA approved medication from 1998. It is the most widely used breast cancer treatment.
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| Happy patient after tamoxifen medication |
- To whom do oncologists recommend tamoxifen?
A hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patient may benefit from Tamoxifen. Tamoxifen treatment can lower the risk of breast cancer.
- Breast cancer patients with a family history of the disease or mutated (changed) BRCA genes.
- Patients who’ve already been diagnosed with breast cancer prevent the recurrence (return) of cancer. This action includes the development of breast cancer in the opposite, untreated breast and recurrence of breast cancer following surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
Your doctor will discuss your medical history to determine if tamoxifen is right for you.
- Why do breast cancer patients take tamoxifen?
Millions and millions of people have used tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer.
Tamoxifen reduces the risk of:
- Tamoxifen reduces the risk of development of breast cancer in the opposite breast by 50%.
- Tamoxifen reduces the risk of development of breast cancer recurrence in premenopausal people by up to 50%.
- Tamoxifen reduces the risk of breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal people by up to 50%.
- It helps in Initial breast cancer diagnosis by up to 40%.
- Tamoxifen helps invasive breast cancer after early-stage, noninvasive breast cancer by up to 50%.
- What effects does tamoxifen have on the body?
Tamoxifen is an antiestrogen medication. It inhibits oestrogen action in the breast. This procedure may prevent the development of breast tumours that require oestrogen to multiply.
What is the recommended dosage of tamoxifen for patients with breast cancer?
Most people take tamoxifen or other hormone therapy for a minimum of five and up to ten years. Your cancer diagnosis will determine how long your treatment will last. Your oncologist may recommend taking tamoxifen for five years and switching to hormone therapy for several more years.
- What are the other advantages of tamoxifen?
- Tamoxifen lowers the risk of breast cancer and cancer recurrence
- Tamoxifen prevents bone loss (osteoporosis) after menopause.
- Tamoxifen lower cholesterol levels.
- What is the most significant side effect of tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen side effects may include,
- Tamoxifen may produce Menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal dryness.
- Tamoxifen may offer weight gain (more common) or fluid retention (oedema).
- Irregular or loss of menstrual periods.
- Nausea.
- Vaginal discharge.Erectile dysfunction.
- Headaches.
- What are the dangers of tamoxifen?
Tamoxifen may occasionally produce side effects such as,
- It may cause a stroke, blood clots, and DVT
- Cataracts and other vision issues
- Endometrial cancer
- When should I see my healthcare provider?
You should call your doctor if you’re taking tamoxifen and experience:
- Severe chest pain or shortness of breath.
- Fever Signs of a stroke include slurred speech, blurred vision or sudden numbness in your legs, arms or face.
- Excessive swelling in your legs, ankles or feet.
FAQs
- Is it worth the risk to take tamoxifen?
However, it is dependent on your unique scenario. While the medicine can successfully prevent breast cancer in many people, it can also raise their risk of stroke, uterine cancer, or blood clotting problems. All subjects were taking tamoxifen and had no history of breast cancer.
- Is tamoxifen safe to use during pregnancy?
The use of tamoxifen is associated with birth abnormalities. Consult your doctor about nonhormonal birth control choices to avoid pregnancy. Hormonal contraceptives may contribute to the spread of hormone-positive breast cancer. Tamoxifen must consume for at least two months after you stop taking it and when you stop taking it.
- How long does tamoxifen stay in your bloodstream once you stop taking it?
Tamoxifen continues to work for up to two weeks after your final dose. However, it might take up to three months to thoroughly drain out your system.
- Valuable takeaways:
- Breast cancer affects a significant number of people every year, but there are several treatment options available.
- Oncologists use tamoxifen to treat breast cancer and reduce the chances of developing it.
- Tamoxifen usage over an extended period may increase your chance of acquiring other forms of cancer, and it's critical to keep all of your doctor's appointments.