Contents:
- Medical Video: New breast cancer drug study results are promising.
- Can tamoxifen reduce the risk of breast cancer?
- What are the side effects of using tamoxifen?
- Who is allowed to use Tamoxifen?
Medical Video: New breast cancer drug study results are promising.
Tamoxifen is an estrogen receptor modulator that is often used in the treatment of breast cancer. Tamoxifen blocks estrogen or known as a hormone that has an influence on the growth and development of breast tumors. While in the womb, this hormone serves to encourage the growth of the uterine lining.
Can tamoxifen reduce the risk of breast cancer?
Tamoxifen has been recognized as a treatment that reduces the risk of breast cancer. In addition, it is being studied whether there are substances in foods that can reduce the risk of cancer or not. Although there is currently no data that shows that substances in food can really help reduce the risk of breast cancer, these substances are being studied.
The effect of Tamoxifen on the risk of breast cancer has different effects on several research results. One advantage of using tamoxifen is that it can reduce relapse rates in breast cancer patients and can extend the life expectancy of patients with early-stage breast cancer. Tamoxifen has also been shown to reduce the risk of breast cancer by 13 to 48% and help reduce the risk of breast cancer invasion and ductal carcinoma (a type of breast cancer).
What are the side effects of using tamoxifen?
Patients may have different experiences regarding side effects of breast cancer, such as vaginal discharge, feeling hot in the body, increased risk of uterine cancer, blood clots, and strokes.
Other side effects include:
- Sweating a lot at night
- Dry vagina
The effects of tamoxifen are rare but are:
- Blood clots
- Cervical cancer
- Cataract
- Stroke
In the treatment of tamoxifen, the risk of uterine cancer in pre-menopausal women is lower than for women who have experienced menopause. However, the benefits of tamoxifen for pre-menopausal women are greater than the risk, if he has a family history of cancer patients or if he has had a uterine removal (hysterectomy).
Who is allowed to use Tamoxifen?
Tamoxifene is mostly used in women aged 35 years and over. At this age, women have a high risk of invasive breast cancer. Tamoxifene can also be given if cancer patients are included in the following list:
- Has a family history of breast cancer patients
- Has a high risk of increased development of breast cancer, for example if a breast biopsy is found such as lobular in situ carcinoma (LCIS), atypical hyperplasia, or atypical lobular hyperplasia
- If the Gail model score of the patient scores is more than 1.66%. The Gail model is a tool used by doctors to predict breast cancer that will grow and develop in the patient's body. The Gail model of this score includes the factors of age, reproduction, and family history of cancer patients
- Does not have a history of blood clots
Talk to your doctor if you have a history of blood clots, strokes, immobilization for a long time (for example due to paralysis), if you are pregnant, or breastfeeding. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, chances are that your doctor will not recommend using this treatment.
Tamoxifene is usually given to patients in the form of pills that must be taken once a day. To reduce the risk of breast cancer, tamoxifen is given for a period of five years. The benefits of tamoxifen will also be useful within 10 years after the completion of the treatment period.
