alt.support.cancer.breast
Should I take Tamoxifen?
Some people are put off taking Tamoxifen after Breast Cancer surgery because they have heard of many possible side effects.
Hot Flashes
Hot flashes/flushes are a common side effect, but these vary a lot. Some people don't notice them. Others find that they can be controlled with drugs. A few find them unbearable and uncontrollable. For these few there are newer alternative drugs such as Femara which may not affect them as severely, but which have not been proven over such a long time as Tamoxifen.
Endometial cancer and Thrombosis
Two serious long term side effects are endometrial (uterine) cancer and thrombosis. It must be emphasised that these side effects are both rare, much less that the risk of recurrent breast cancer gained by not taking Tamoxifen.
By taking Tamoxifen you add a chance of about one in a thousand (per year) of contracting one of these conditions, which are both usually quite curable if treated promptly. On the other hand you take away about a one in a hundred chance of of a recurrence of breast cancer, which may well be fatal.
Overall taking Tamoxifen significantly improves your survival chances.
Who should not take Tamoxifen
Taking Tamoxifen is sometimes suggested because you are at risk of breast cancer, even though you have not had the disease. This has not so far been conclusively proven to be of benefit.
If you have suffered from thromboses (blood clots, strokes, etc) or any of the conditions mentioned on the drug leaflet you should discuss this with your oncologist.