Tamoxifen

Is tamoxifen for those who are at risk for recurrance on the initially diagnosed side and/or recurrance in the opposite breast only? And/or is it used to prevent metastasis to distant sites after mastectomy and chemo? Thank you

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear moneu:  Tamoxifen is used in women whose cancers are ER/PR positive (estrogen receptor/progesterone receptor).  It is used to reduce the chance of recurrence both locally and distantly as well as reduce the risk of  developing a contralateral (opposite breast) breast cancer.  Tamoxifen can also be used to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer in women who are at high risk.

[lizziecee]

I believe tamoxifen has been superceded by Arimidex - after my diagnosis of invasive ductal cancer and chemotherapy I was switched after 2 months of tamoxifen ( in 2004) to Arimidex, which I believe has a much better prognosis  for recurrence than tamoxifen - that is if you are ER+.

[Twocapes]

It is my understanding (and I could be wrong) that Tamoxifen is still used instead of Arimidex depending on your menstrual status.  Tamoxifen for women who are ER/PR+ and have not gone through menopause and Arimidex for ER/PR+ for women who have undergone menopause.

[rkmsim]

Twocapes is correct in the use of Tamoxifen and Arimidex.  Right now Arimidex and Femara are not being given to premenopausal women.  I was on Tamoxifen for 5 years, diagnosed with bc on the other side from the first bc and am now on Femara.