Risk of uterine cancer in women under 60

Cjs47

Hello,

I just saw my breast surgeon yesterday for 6 month check up, and she asked if I had any concerns. I told her I was worried about tamoxifen causing uterine cancer. She told me that the risks are really only for women over 60 and since I'm 53 I should be fine. I have read articles that state any woman on tamoxifen is at risk. Am I wrong? Any replies would be helpful.

Thank you

farmerlucy

I spoke to a gyn onc about this. He said the risk of uterine cancer goes from 1 per thousand to about 2 per thousand on Tamoxifen.He also said it is not subtle, like ovarian cancer, and that generally the cure is a hysterectomy.

Cjs47

Farmerlucy,

Thank you. I just talked to someone I know who had to have a biopsy due to thickening of uterine wall one year after starting tamoxifen and now eight months later had to have another biopsy due to bleeding and 8mm tumor or cyst (waiting on results). She is 55. I've been on tamoxifen for a little over a year and see my gyno in a week for exam. Nervous to say the least

ShetlandPony

My doctors didn't make the distinction by age but by menopausal status. They said the (small) endometrial cancer risk is for non-menstruating women, and that post-meno bleeding would alert them to the need to investigate in time for hysterectomy to offer a cure. (Of course they can never say anything is 100% for everyone.)

I would rely on the oncologist or gynecologist more than the surgeon for information on this.

Cjs47

Thank you for your reply ShetlandPon