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Tamoxifen breast cancer

FormerMember
FormerMember
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Should i be worried about taking Tamoxifen? I’m 55, obese, high blood pressure, still have periods, no family history of cancer but mother had stroke and pulmonary embolism. Had stage 2 invasive, removed with surgery, lymph nodes clear. Eostrogen positive. Onco score 19.  Start 5 days radiotherapy this week. Feeling very tired. Confused as mine is a good scenario compared to others, caught early etc , yet when read risks of tamoxifen I’m in the high risk. More worried about getting a DVT now than cancer recurring!

  • Hi Robinlife

    Thanks for getting in touch. I’m Emma, one of the Cancer Information Nurses on the Macmillan Support Line. Welcome to the online community. I can see that you have joined the breast cancer forum and hope that you find it helpful.

    It’s understandable to have questions about treatment, and its potential side effects. Your consultant will be part of a multidisciplinary team, where your individual treatment plan will have been discussed. The specialists will review the information they have about the type of breast cancer you were diagnosed with, including the fact that this was oestrogen positive. They will also consider your general health and any other medical conditions you may have. This will include the risks and benefits of treatments for you. The benefits you receive from Tamoxifen should be greater than the risk and side effects.

    If you have a history of blood clots or are at risk of these, your consultant will take this into account. They may use an alternative to Tamoxifen if your risk is considered high. If you haven’t already, please do contact your consultant or, if you have one, clinical nurse specialist (CNS) to ask them to discuss your individual risk of taking Tamoxifen. It can sometimes help to prepare any questions you have.

    If you are unsure about the benefit of taking Tamoxifen, you could speak with your consultant and ask them to discuss the PREDICT tool, which will give a potential estimate of the benefit hormone therapy would provide for you.

    As you know, Tamoxifen does carry the increased risk of a blood clot. If you do take Tamoxifen, it’s important to be aware of potential signs and symptoms, which include:

    • Pain, redness or swelling in a leg or arm
    • Breathlessness
    • Chest pain

    In the event of these symptoms you should seek an urgent medical review.

    I hope you find this information helpful. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you would like to speak with us again.

    Best wishes

    Emma

    Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

    You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7days a week from 8am – 8pm) or email us.

    Ref/AM

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