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Aug 21st 2009, 03:39 PM
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Search results for "Risk Tamoxifen
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What is Risk Tamoxifen
? Risk Tamoxifen
is a hormonal therapy that blocks the effects of oestrogen in breast tissue. Developed more than 30 years ago, it is widely used to treat breast cancer, both after the initial surgery and if
the cancer has come back following treatment and at times as sole initiating therapy. Risk Tamoxifen
may also be used to help prevent breast cancer in some women who are at very high risk of developing
the disease How Risk Tamoxifen
works Risk Tamoxifen
binds onto the oestrogen receptors of breast cells, which then prevents the oestrogen molecules from doing so. Oestrogen is therefore
unable to stimulate the proliferation of breast cells, including cancer cells. Who can benefit from Risk Tamoxifen
? Although tumours that are found to have oestrogen receptors are usually the more responsive to Risk Tamoxifen
, it may provide some effect, though
probably much less effect, in some instances where the test does not show any oestrogen receptors. The presence of progesterone receptors, in the absence of oestrogen receptors, may also be an indicator that the cancer will respond to Risk Tamoxifen
. Therefore
each woman’s case will be considered individually, as anticipated benefits of treatment for her must be weighed against possible side-effects. Risk Tamoxifen
is commonly used in addition to other treatments such as surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy,
to reduce the chance of the cancer returning in the same breast and the development of new cancers in the opposite breast. It may also be used to control breast cancer that has returned after initial treatment. In these circumstances,
it can often control cancer for long periods of time. Women who have been identified to be at very high risk of developing breast cancer may benefit from using Risk Tamoxifen
as a preventative measure. Long-term side-effects
Risk Tamoxifen
taken long term may slightly increase the risk of developing cancer of the uterus, as it stimulates the proliferation of the cells lining the uterus. Generally the benefits of Risk Tamoxifen
in treating the breast cancer outweigh the risks
related to uterine cancer. Women using Risk Tamoxifen
should talk with their doctor about what precautions they should take. Any abnormal vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain should be reported to a doctor and checked promptly.
Risk Tamoxifen
and pregnancy Women should avoid pregnancy while taking Risk Tamoxifen
, as studies in animals have suggested it may cause harm to the foetus. Concerns about fertility, birth control or future pregnancy are best
directed to doctors or nurses who are part of the treatment team. How long does the treatment continue? When used as adjuvant treatment for early stage breast cancer, it is generally recommended that Risk Tamoxifen
is taken for five years. There are a number of ongoing studies to assess
the best use of Risk Tamoxifen
and other hormonal treatments for breast cancer. New information is regularly becoming available and at present your doctor may well suggest changing to another drug after 2-3 years. You should ask your doctor if you have concerns about the best treatment for
your case. Women with advanced breast cancer may take Risk Tamoxifen
for varying lengths of time depending on their response to treatment. If the response to Risk Tamoxifen
diminishes, different drugs may be tried. Other hormone treatments
Risk Tamoxifen
is not the only hormone therapy that is effective in the treatment of breast cancer. There are a number of other hormone therapies in use. You may wish to ask your doctor about their potential role in the management of your breast cancer. Blood clots
There is an increased risk of blood clots (thrombosis), therefore women who have had blood clots in the past may not be able to use Risk Tamoxifen
and should report this to their doctor Possible side-effects Individual women respond differently to Risk Tamoxifen
.
Concerns about side-effects can be discussed with doctors. Risk Tamoxifen
does not cause a woman to begin menopause, but because it counteracts the effects of oestrogen in the body, women may experience symptoms
similar to menopause.
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