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Breast Cancer (Expert Forum)
Tamoxifen
Questions posted in the Breast Cancer Forum are answered by medical professionals from The Cleveland Clinic. Topics include Breast Biopsy, Chemotherapy, Hormone Therapy, Lumps, Lumpectomy, Lymph node dissection, Lymphedema, Mammograms, Mastectomy, Radiation Therapy, Reconstruction, Self Breast Exam, and Surgery.
Tamoxifen
by moneu, Jun 07, 2006 12:00AM
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
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-RN,MSN-rf, Jun 07, 2006 12:00AM
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.
Member Comments (4)
by lizziecee, Jun 07, 2006 12:00AM
I believe tamoxifen has been superceded by Arimidex - after my diagnosis of invasive ductal cancer and chemotherapy I was switched after 2 months of tamoxifen ( in 2004) to Arimidex, which I believe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+.
by Twocapes, Jun 07, 2006 12:00AM
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.
by rkmsim, Jun 09, 2006 12:00AM
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.
