ADH and Tamoxifen

[dellalulu]

I recently had a mass which was ADH removed from my right breast.  The surgeon suggested that I see an Oncologist, which I did, and I'm surprised that the Oncologist suggested that I go onto Tamoxifen.  I have absolutely NO history of breast or uterine cancer in my family, and actually have no history of any kind of cancer in our family at all.

The Oncologist said that if I take Tamoxifen, I will only have a 1.5% chance of developing brest cancer over the next 5 years, but if I don't take it, my chance doubles to a 3 % chance.

A 3% chance doesn't sound like risky enough odds to take such drastic measures as taking a drug like Tamoxifen.

Is this common to prescribe this drug to women who only have ADH and not a history of cancer.  I'm also pre-menopasal and am 40 years old.

Any info you can give me will be much appreciated.

Thanks

[Judith55]

I am 55 years old and also had a mass removed from my breast. My surgeon says that it was lobular carcinoma in situ. I got a second opinion from a very well respected cancer institute whose pathlogists said that I was misdiagnosed and the mass was ADH. My sugeon says that I desperately need to go on Tamoxifen. The second opinion oncolgist says that with ADH it is my choice whether or not to take the Tamoxifen, and that basically I am only at a slightly higher risk of deveoping breast cancer in the future. I may end up getting a third opinion. If there is some way that I can find out that it was definitely ADH, I will opt not to take the Tamoxifen. Please get another opinion from someone who is not associated with your doctor.

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear Dellalulu:  Atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) is a risk factor for developing breast cancer.  It does not mean that breast cancer will develop, only that the woman's relative risk of developing breast cancer in her lifetime is higher than average.  There have been studies demonstrating that tamoxifen can significantly reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 49% in women who are at high risk.  Obviously, this is also a personal decision as well - balancing risks against benefits.  Another option may be to seek a second opinion (preferrably from a breast specialist) as it may help you to gather more information so that you can make the best decision for you.