Tamoxifen

Infertility is one of the biggest issues of patients undergoing certain breast caner treatments. But some 30 years back, an anti-estrogen and hormonal treatment was created for breast cancer and other medical conditions such as infertility.

How tamoxifen really works is rather complex to understand, but it is viewed primarily as an anti-estrogen drug. The female estrogen can cause breast cancer to grow. The surfaces of cancer cells possess proteins known as receptors where sex hormones connect themselves to. Those cancer cells which have estrogen receptors are referred to as “estrogen-receptor-positive” or ER-positive. Tamoxifen works best against this type of cancers.

The moment estrogen reaches the receptors, it attaches itself into them and sets off the cancer cells to split in order to make the tumor grow. Tamoxifen duplicates the function of estrogen, although it does not set off the splitting of cancer cells. Instead, tamoxifen remains in place to prevent estrogen from getting to the cancer cells. Thus, the tumor’s growth is reduced or completely ceased. Tamoxifen is capable of reducing the likelihood of ER-positive cancers from recurring after surgery. It is also used before surgery as a means to shrink the size of tumor.

Why take tamoxifen for 5 years? Extensive research have found out that breast cancer patients benefit from tamoxifen the most if they are taking it for five years – no more, no less. Moreover, there have been evidences pointing out that patients being administered with tamoxifen for a span of five years right after other treatment procedures like radiation and surgery have lesser chances of recurring cancer. However, the drug’s benefit is said to continue only after such period of use.

The side effects of tamoxifen vary for each patient. Some women experience a few, while some do not at all. Patients who are thinking of choosing tamoxifen as breast cancer treatment should talk to their doctors about the benefits and possible risks associated with the drug. Frequently, the advantages of preventing or treating breast cancer using tamoxifen offset the risks or side effects.

The most common among tamoxifen side effects include menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. Around half of breast cancer patients taking this drug are found to experience hot flashes, the same type experienced by menopausal women. If conventional remedies like exercise and calcium do not serve to relieve the hot flashes, doctors may prescribe drugs or may advice patients to take a month or two “breaks” from taking tamoxifen.

Nausea and/or vomiting are common side effects of tamoxifen. However, these conditions often occur on a patient’s first few weeks on the drug. Mood changes or depression are also experienced by some patients. Some have intense mood swings, while others develop depression over a couple of months. However, tamoxifen may not also be the cause of such emotional issues. Some factors like stress may contribute to the patients’ variable moods or depression. There are medications available which offers relief from these symptoms. Counseling is also beneficial for some patients. Doctors may recommend letting patients take on “breaks” from the dug as well.

But tamoxifen side effects are not limited to those tolerable conditions. Although the risk of developing endometrial cancer is low, there are still about 2 women in every 1000 who are likely to have the disease when taking tamoxifen. Thrombosis or blood clotting, uterine abnormalities, eye problems like cataracts, and stroke are also other health risks associated with taking tamoxifen.

Even if the side effects of tamoxifen are not guaranteed to be experienced by every woman taking the medication, it is still best that she is aware of the possible consequences. After all, acceptance can be a factor in achieving well-being.