Tamoxifin under age 35?

Hi. I have stage 1 breast cancer and I am 28 years old.  I am trying to decide whether I should take tamoxifin (tamoxifen) for 5 years or not.  I have heard conflicting information on the drug under age 35.  I have heard that they do not know what side effects can occur years later in premenopausal women.  My estrogen was 90% positive and progestrone 80% positive on my pathology report.  Do you think there is a benefit for me to take the tamoxifin (tamoxifen) even though I am premenopausal?

thank you

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear Camsmomme, The standard of care is to recommend tamoxifen for 5 years for women who have an estrogen receptor positive tumor.   The benefits of tamoxifen in terms of odds of the disease returning do not change based on menopausal status. Regarding serious side effects of tamoxifen such as risk for blood clots or cancer of the uterus these are rare in general.  In trials following women over a long period of time the uterine cancer risk can primarily be a problem for women over 50, and blood clots also were seen more frequently in older women.

The decision whether or not to take tamoxifen should be made after a discussion with your physician regarding the risks and benefits of tamoxifen in your individual case.