tamoxifen and ovarian cyst or cancer

[gerbera31]

I'm new to the forum.  I had breast cancer 3 years ago with bilateral mastectomy + chemo.  Have been on tamoxifen for 2 years. couple of months ago started having symptoms of bloating, lower right pelvic pain, sometimes lower back pain radiating to right leg.  no tenderness in pelvic area. feeling of pulling sometimes. this is not all the time. it comes and goes.  no period since chemo and wondering if i'm cycling without bleeding. I'm 37, no kids, no pregnancies but was on the pill for 14 years.  is there a link from tamoxifen and ovarian cancer or cysts? went to gyno, pelvic exam was fine, ovaries feel normal scehduled for TVU next week. are symptoms for ovarian cancer constant or do they come and go?  has anyone had similar symtpoms? if gyno didn't feel anything, then is something there but too small? really worried and nervous..

[NikkiH74]

Lots of pre-menopausal women develop ovarian cysts while on tamoxifen.  I'm 34 and have been on tamoxifen for 2.5 years and have had cysts the whole time.  I had one  removed surgically because I was having another procedure for endometriosis so they removed the cyst, and it just came right back.  As long as you get an ultrasound and it doesn't look suspicious or really big it's probably just a functional cyst that should go away when treatment ends.  They do cause pain that comes and goes.

As for the removal of ovaries.  I don't know if I'm for or against it, but I think every woman should know that studies have shown that younger women who have their ovaries removed have been found to have shorter life spans than women who don't have their ovaries removed.  I've read a study about it and was also told that by a Dr. of research at the Susan Love Breast Cancer Foundation.  So it's a tough decision that I'm still struggling with.  I don't know what I'll do after 5 years of tamoxifen.  Luckily, I had a very small tumor that was a low grade and I also had a low oncotype score, so I'm on the fence regarding an oopherectomy.  There's a lot more to think about when you're in your early 30's and fighting this terrible disease.

[Tybear]

I agree with the notion that being on Tamoxifin would lower your chances of having Ovarian Cancer. However, I was on the Birth Control Pill for 10 yrs and still got it myself (and at 26 yrs old, no less). I know there is a genetic link between Breast cancer and Ovarian cancer, but no sense in getting too far ahead until you have some more answers. I hope your T/V ultrasound gives you a better idea of what your dealing with.

[suzsen]

Actually, I would think taking tamoxefin would lower your risk for ovarian cancer.  My mom is in remission with ovarian cancer, but her CA125 count is rising, one of the options they are discussing is giving her tamoxifen.

You may want to talk to your dr about removing your ovaries.  A good friend of mine had breast cancer, followed with tamoxifen for 5 years.  For some reason you're not supposed to take it for more than 5 years so at that point they removed her ovaries.  She said they found a "few" cancerous cells in one  ovary but told her she didn't need any treatment.  That was 2 years ago and she's still fine.  

Having breast cancer raises your risk of having ovarian cancer.  Removing your ovaries lowers your risk of both ovarian cancer and recurrence of the breast cancer.

Just something to discuss with your doctor!

[Grateful06]

I can tell you one thing, that is that being birth control pills for 10 years or more lowers your chance of getting ovarian cancer by 80%.  I only wish I were on birth control that long.  I wish you well!