Tamoxifen and uterine cancer

Carolehebert

Hi everyone

I just wanted to know i am on Tamoxifen for 4 years now beside weight gain and moodiness I don't have other symptoms My doctor wants to change me to arimidex for up to 10 years or more as soon as im confirmed in menopause I have no periods now its 7 months.My question is i never felt a good feeling taking this medication and their are so many contradictions out therebut im scared to stop it What if ;( I have young children but now im hearing about the high risk of uterine cancer but my doctor says i afto to take it It could save my life Im so confused .I saw an homeopathe and he said i should have my ovaries removed .What are they going to do shop me in litlle pieces and questionHow often to you see you gynecologist and get ultrasounds Im stage3.

Tks everyone

SelenaWolf

First of all, a homeopath is NOT a doctor and shouldn't be advising you about medical issues or surgery. Secondly, the risk of uterine cancer developing in women taking tamoxifen is not "high"; it's a documented risk of about 1-3 women per 1,000. Yes, that risk goes up slightly the longer you stay on tamoxifen, but think of it this way: if your risk for have a cancer recurrence is 15% and your risk of developing tamoxifen-related uterine cancer is > 1%, then the benefits of continuing tamoxifen outweigh the risks. However, if you have a family history of uterine/endometrial cancers, then staying on tamoxifen may be something you wish to talk over with your doctor before coming to a decision.

Another thing to consider; some research has shown that women who take tamoxifen for a few years, then switch to arimidex have a higher long-term survival rate than women who take just tamoxifen alone. However, arimidex also has a number of side effects, including joint pain and bone deterioration. Again, you have to weigh if the benefits of switching outweigh the risks. Check your family history for bone density issues and discuss this with your doctor.

As for removing your ovaries; if you have a family history of cardiovascular disease and/or stroke, removing your ovaries could increase your risk for developing these conditions. This is the issue that I had to deal with. My risk of heart attack/stroke is significantly higher than my risk of developing a breast cancer recurrence/new breast cancer, so I opted to not have my ovaries removed. Of course that decision could change should a new risk factor emerge in my family, i.e., a first-degree relative with ovarian cancer, but - thus far - there are no cases.

Unfortunately, there are no easy answers when it comes to breast cancer treatment and it often seems like one is hedging one's bets. It's a numbers game, involving statistics and documented outcomes based on studies which have varying demographics when it comes to breast cancer.

Maureen1

(((Carolehebert))) seems we have no "easy" choices with breast cancer and we constantly have to weigh the risks of treatment vs the risks of breast cancer recurring...I have been on Tamoxifen for almost 3 years. My MO wants me to stay on it for at least 5 years then take Aromasin or Femera for another 5. I see my GYN every year for an exam to see if my uterus is enlarged. A few months ago I had an ultrasound and the endometrium has thickened so I had to have a biopsy. Thankfully although it is abnormal tissue it is not uterine cancer but she is sure the thickening is caused by the Tamoxifen so she is recommending a hysterectomy and removal of my ovaries. My tumor was highly estrogen positive so my risk of recurrence is high without the Tamoxifen so, this summer I'll be scheduling that surgery...If you are having annual GYN exams and ultrasounds when the uterus "feels" enlarged your GYN can monitor you and should be able to catch changes before uterine cancer develops...(((Hugs))) Maureen