Should I take Tamoxifin

[tg409]

Was dx with an aread of AHD in left breast after a re-excision biopsy for microcalcification.  My mother had bc at the age of 52.  I am 37 years old and would like to know if I should take tamoxifin or just continue to have mammograms every 6 months?  I am very concerned about the side effects (ie. weight gain, hot flashes, etc.).  Do I have time to decide or can it wait the first 6 months?

[lefton]

Would like to know if anyone has had side effects from tamoxifin withe bleeding. I was just diagnosed with bladder cancer. has anyone ever heard of this? Can tamxifin cause damage to the bladder? i have several tumors on the bladder and we dont know how they came about. i have been on tamoxifin for one year now from my breast cancer

[Rfrancis]

To answer your questions Tg409
I have consulted with and still under the care of an oncologist. My surgeon suggested a consultation with an oncologist. (Just to know the options) regarding the ADH. I guess my reasons why I deceided to try the Tamoxifen, was to try anything that could prevent even a small chance of Breast Cancer. I took a lot of time to deceid. My oncologist confirmed, if the symptoms/side effects get to be too much, I can always stop. Like I said before it's a personal deceision. For me I had to atleast try it.
Tg409, If you have any further questions for me you can email me at ***@****
good luck.

[tg409]

Thank you so much for your replies.  I am curious as to what made RFrancis decide to take the tamoxifin.  Did you consult with an Oncologist?  I am very worried that this will dramatically change my lifestyle.  If I was tested for the BRAC gene and it came back negative would it mean that the Tamoxifin would not be necessary?

[Rfrancis]

I was pretty much was in the same boat that you are in about 10 months ago.  I to have ADH in Left Breast. I'm 36 years old. I have chosen to take Tamoxifen I've been on it for 10 months now, and for now, the side effects are so bad. I have the hot flashes, though they have subsided quite abit. The weight gain about 10 lbs but I quit smoking the same time so who knows what caused the weight gain? I do have joint stiffness, and the texture of my hair has changed. But I had deceided to Take the Tamoxifen and if the symptoms got too bad, I would just stop taking it. I don't know if this will help you or not. I know there is so much bad mouthing on the net about Tamoxifen, it has to be a personal descision.
Good Luck

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear tg409:  I am assuming AHD is "atypical ductal hyperplasia?"  This is not cancer and it is not considered precancer.  What it may indicate is that conditions in the breast exist may be favorable for the development of breast cancer.  Tamoxifen has been studied as a cancer prevention drug for women at high risk for breast cancer.  However, most of the work was done in postmenopausal women.  The use of tamoxifen in premenopausal women for prevention must be evaluated carefully.  You might check with a breast specialist to determine your risk and evaluate the risk/benefit ratio of tamoxifen.

[mabelwabel]

I am not a doctor or nurse, but my experience is that some women have no problems with tamoxifin.  Why not give it a try?  I have cancer that is now threatening my life.  I will do ANYTHING to kill it.    Tamoxifin's been around a long, long time.  Speaking from my postion I would take it in a heart beat.

have you been tested for the BRAC gene.   You can go to facing yourrisk.org   or take the BRAC pro test to determine your risk.   Your breast tissue could be prone.