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A diagnosis of breast cancer at any stage is a shock to a woman. But having breast cancer doesn't mean it's over, there are now many staged interventions and Tamoxifen has been a breast cancer drug for more than 40 years. Tamoxifen is considered an effective hormone replacement therapy. The following article will provide you with information on the link between Tamoxifen and breast cancer.
1. How does Tamoxifen work?
1.1. What is Tamoxifen for breast cancer treatment? Tamoxifen is a medicine used in the treatment of hormones (endocrine). Used both in the treatment of breast cancer in both premenopausal women (women who have not gone through menopause) and postmenopausal women. The drug may also be given to male patients with breast cancer .
Some breast cancers use estrogen in the body to help them grow. They are also known as estrogen receptor-positive or ER+ breast cancers.
Tamoxifen blocks the effects of estrogen on ER+ breast cancer cells. This stops estrogen from helping breast cancer cells grow.
Tamoxifen for breast cancer acts as an effective hormone therapy used to treat hormone receptor positive breast cancer. It can significantly reduce the risk of cancer recurrence and invasive cancer. Some people take tamoxifen to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer. Daily pills stop cancer cells from using estrogen and progesterone to grow and spread.
Tamoxifen hormone replacement therapy into the body it attaches to hormone receptors in cancer cells, preventing estrogen from attaching to the receptors. This slows or stops tumor growth by stopping the cancer cells from getting the hormones they need to grow. Tamoxifen is also a type of hormone therapy known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM). The drug binds to hormone receptors (specific proteins) in breast cancer cells. Once the drug gets inside the cells, it prevents the cancer from accessing the hormones they need to multiply and grow.
1.2. Who should use tamoxifen? Tamoxifen hormone replacement therapy can help women and men with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. The drug can reduce the risk of breast cancer in:
Women who are at high risk for breast cancer because of a family history of the disease or a mutated (changed) breast cancer gene (BRCA). Women and men who have been diagnosed with breast cancer to prevent the cancer from coming back (coming back), including: Developing breast cancer in the opposite breast, untreated. Breast cancer recurrence after surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation therapy. Your doctor will determine if tamoxifen is right for you.
2. Tamoxifen in the treatment of breast cancer.
2.1. When is Tamoxifen used? Primary breast cancer Tamoxifen may be prescribed if you have primary breast cancer.
Medicines are usually given after surgery to reduce the risk of breast cancer coming back in the same breast or spreading to another place in the body. This is called adjuvant (complementary) therapy.
Tamoxifen hormone replacement therapy can also be used as first line treatment for people with breast cancer. When surgery is not liked or needs further delay.
The breast cancer drug Tamoxifen is sometimes used before surgery (called neo-adjuvant or primary therapy) to shrink larger breast cancers.
For people diagnosed with an early type of breast cancer called ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), the benefit of tamoxifen is less. Some evidence suggests that taking tamoxifen after DCIS surgery reduces the risk of breast cancer returning in the same breast and new breast cancer developing on both sides. The therapists will discuss whether they feel it would be beneficial for the patient.
Recurrent or metastatic breast cancer. Tamoxifen hormone replacement therapy can also be used to treat people with:
Locally recurrent breast cancer Locally advanced breast cancer Secondary (metastatic) breast cancer Tamoxifen can treat breast cancer is an option for some people who do not have breast cancer but are at higher risk of developing the disease due to their family history.
2.2. How is Tamoxifen used? Tamoxifen is a drug used to treat breast cancer.
Sometimes the medicine can be prescribed in liquid form for people who have difficulty swallowing.
The recommended dose for most people is 20mg per day.
It is best for the sick person to take it at the same time every day.
If the patient misses a dose, there is no need to take an extra dose the next day. Because the drug content in the patient's body will still be high enough compared to the previous day.
Some versions of tamoxifen contain small amounts of lactose. If you know your body is lactose intolerant, discuss this with your treatment team or pharmacist.
How long should tamoxifen be taken? The recommended length of time to take tamoxifen will vary from case to case.
Most people take tamoxifen or other hormone therapy for at least 5 years and sometimes up to 10 years. The duration of treatment depends on the cancer diagnosis characteristics of the patient.
If you're going through menopause while you're taking tamoxifen for breast cancer, your doctor may recommend a change from tamoxifen to another hormone therapy called an aromatase inhibitor. This can happen after two to three years of taking tamoxifen, or after you have taken tamoxifen for five years.
Sometimes, tamoxifen hormone replacement therapy is recommended after taking an aromatase inhibitor.
For young women going through menopause, tamoxifen can be given alone or sometimes with an ovarian suppressant.
Patients taking tamoxifen for locally advanced breast cancer or for secondary breast cancer will usually continue to take it as long as the cancer is under control.
Patients who have a family history of cancer and are taking tamoxifen to reduce their risk of developing breast cancer will usually take this medicine for 5 years.
Doctors will tell patients when to stop taking tamoxifen for breast cancer. You will not need to stop taking the medication gradually.
If for any reason you want to stop taking tamoxifen before the recommended time, talk to your specialist first. Because not taking the medicine for the recommended time can greatly increase the risk of breast cancer coming back or progressing further.
2.3. The effects and benefits of taking Tamoxifen. Effect brought. Millions of people have used hormone replacement therapy tamoxifen to prevent or treat breast cancer. Medicines can reduce the risk:
Breast cancer in the opposite breast is reduced by 50%. Breast cancer recurrence in premenopausal women ranges from 30% to 50%. Breast cancer recurrence in postmenopausal women 40% to 50 Initial breast cancer diagnosis in up to 40%. Invasive breast cancer after being diagnosed as early-stage, non-invasive breast cancer (ductal carcinoma in situ or DCIS) is up to 50%. Other benefits of taking tamoxifen. In addition to reducing the risk of breast cancer and cancer recurrence, tamoxifen:
Prevents osteoporosis after menopause. Lower cholesterol levels.
3. Side effects of Tamoxifen in the treatment of breast cancer.
Common side effects:
Menopause symptoms Vaginal discharge Affects menstrual period. Fluid retention Indigestion or nausea Effects on bone health Extreme fatigue Skin rash Less common side effects:
Affects uterus Hair loss Changes to vision Changes to liver Other possible side effects:
Some women notice a change in their vocals. Other reported side effects include: Joint pain; Difficulty concentrating; Headache; Leg cramps at night. Side effects for men:
Men can experience the same side effects as women, such as hot flashes and headaches...
Some small studies have also documented side effects. other symptoms, such as decreased sex drive, although this is usually reversible once treatment with tamoxifen ends.
4. Some notes when using Tamoxifen in the treatment of breast cancer.
Blood clotting
People with breast cancer have a higher risk of blood clots. Their risk is higher due to the cancer itself and some breast cancer treatments. If the cancer has spread to other parts of the body (secondary breast cancer), this also increases the risk. Taking tamoxifen increases the risk of blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT).
People with DVT are at risk of developing pulmonary embolism (PE). This is when part of the blood clot breaks off and travels to the lungs.
Blood clots can be harmful but treatable, so it's important to report symptoms as soon as possible.
Contraception while taking tamoxifen
Using tamoxifen for breast cancer while you are pregnant can harm your unborn baby. You can still get pregnant while taking tamoxifen even if your periods are irregular or have stopped.
Fertility, pregnancy and Tamoxifen
In most premenopausal women taking tamoxifen for breast cancer, the ovaries continue to function. When you start taking tamoxifen, it can stimulate the release of an egg from your ovaries (ovulation) and may make it easier for you to conceive. However, pregnancy is not recommended
For some women, continuing to use tamoxifen means menstruation becomes less regular, lighter, or stops altogether.
Patients planning to become pregnant after finishing tamoxifen treatment for breast cancer, should wait at least two months for the drug to have time to be completely eliminated from the body.
Tamoxifen and breastfeeding
Women taking tamoxifen are advised not to breastfeed as it can pass through the bloodstream into breast milk.
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